The fly-fisher's entomology, with coloured representations of the natural and artificial insect; and a few observations and instructions on trout and grayling-fishing

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THE

FLY-FISHER'S ENTOMOLOGY

^^

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^'>^::!i!"^

THE

FLY-FISHEE'S ENTOMOLOGY

WITH COLOURED EEPRESEXTATIONS OF

THE NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL INSECT, AND A FEW

OBSERVATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS ON

TROUT AND GRAYLING FISHING

BY ALFRED RONALDS

M'xth ^lucntij Coloured f latcs

TENTH EDITION

" Devouring Ephemerals ! Can you not suffer the poor insects to sport out their day ?
Tliey must be insipid eating— but here are some savoury exceedingly .... they carry
sauce piquante in their tails. Do try the taste of this Bobber-but any of tlie three you
please There I Hold fast, Kirby— for that's a Whopper"— CArw/o^^er North

LONGMANS, GEEEN, AND CO

39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON
NEW YORK AND BOMBAY
"^1901

PEEFACE

TO

THE TENTH EDITION.

Mr. Ronalds died in 1860 in Australia,
where he passed the last eighteen years of
his life.

In preparing the tenth edition of his
uncle's book it was a natural desire of the
present editor to add a chapter on dry
fly fishing, as practised at the present day.
Further consideration, however, satisfied
him that the peculiar merit of the " Fly
Fisher's Entomology " and its well-earned
place for the last sixty-four years in the
estimation and on the shelves of those
votaries of fly-fishing who delight in the

VI PREFACE.

literature of their favourite sport would
be best maintained by keeping the book
substantially as it was written.^

Not that the work is out of date, or
ever can be so long as Mr. Eonalds'
admirable series of etchings on copper-
plate, done from the natural fly, remain.
There has been no development in Blue
Duns or Palmers, nor any change in the
times and situations, so well described by
him, in which the various flies may be
expected to produce the desired results
when properly exhibited to the expectant
trout or grayling.

But little addition has been made to
the first edition in those following it. A
more accurate list of the specific names of
the flies described, and some slight altera-
tions in the directions for tying, most of
which were submitted to Mr. Ronalds in
Australia, and approved by him, constitute
the chief alterations.

^ Most of the original plates remain, but the effect of time
has rendered necessary a certain amount of retouching in a few
of them.

PREFACE. Vll

Some improvements have been made
since his time in rods, hooks, and floating
flies, but to this day it is believed that
some of the best known fly-makers " tie
from Ronalds."

The solid claims of the book rest on
its being the work of a clever, observant,
and successfid fisherman, who wrote of
what he knew, and gave his reader only
the results of carefal observation of nature
and long personal experience.

There is one matter on which the
present editor ventures to submit his own
views. There is no doubt that the high
level of scientific accuracy to which dry
fly fishing has been brought of late years
has tended to throw the older way of
fishino^ " wet " somewhat into the shade,
and has even led to suggestions that
science is the monopoly of him who fishes
" dry." There can be no greater mistake,
as any one who tries his luck in the clear,
well fished, and rapid streams of Derby-
shire, for instance, will soon discover.

Vlll PREFACE.

It is not possible to fish with tlie dry
fly in all waters, or in all parts of any
water, and the complete fly fisherman is
he who can fish both wet and dry.

But, some one may say, why trouble
about the exact size and colour of your
fly when it is presented to the fish as a
tumbled mass of wet clinging feathers and
silk or mohair dragged across or even
against the stream ? It cannot be denied
that thus presented it is accepted, and
accepted luith discrimination. How, then,
is this to be accounted for ? The answer
is to be found by a careful investigation of
the way in which so many of the flies
imitated by the angler are bred. The
caddis or the pupa is on the bottom, or
attached to the under side of a root or
weed ; then, at the moment of hatching,
the winged insect, involved in the trans-
parent covering which protects it while
rising to the surface, detaches itself from
its resting-place and launches forth on
its upward journey. This is the critical

PREFACE. IX

moment when the feeding trout or grayling-
is ready for it, and probably he takes more
flies in this way than from the surface, and
exercises equal discrimination in doing so.

Let any one consider how an oblong-
body, buoyed up by the partial inflation of
its envelope, shooting upwards through a
troubled intermixture of currents, is likely
to behave, and the problem is at any rate
rendered less obscure.

With this endeavour to justify the
principles of casting and of selection of
flies laid down in the " Fly Fisher's Ento-
mology " this tenth edition is submitted to
the judgment of the fly-fishing public.

The plates have been recoloured from
a well-preserved copy of the edition of
1836 given by the author to his brother
Sir Francis Ronalds, F.R.S., in acknow-
ledgment of his help in the scientific parts
of the book, and a few footnotes have
been added.

Considerations of space forbid the
inclusion of previous Prefaces subsequent

PREFACE.

to the first, but the concluding words of the
Preface to the nintli edition (Piscator's) are
too much to the point to be omitted. " To
use the words of Mr. Bainbridge, to whom
fly-fishing is so deeply indebted : ' It is a
fact worthy of notice that although many
persons have quitted other sports for the
amusement oi fly-fishing, yet memory does
not furnish a single instance of a fly-fisher
deserting his occupation, and transferring
his preference to any other of the list of
rural sports.' "

J. C. Carter.

Temple : JamiarTj 1901.

PEEFACE

TO

THE FIEST EDITION.

The Autlior of this little work entreats
that it may be considered and judged of as
the labour, or rather the amusement, of an
amateur ; whose chief object has been to
facilitate to the Tyro in the art, the making
and choice of artificial flies, on a plan of
elucidation^ derived from personal expe-
rience.

Having himself sorely felt the inade-
quacy of mere verbal instructions to enable
him to imitate the natural fly correctly, or
even approximatively, and the little utility
of graphical illustrations unaccompanied
by the principal requisite, viz. colour, he
has been induced to paint both the natural
and artificial flv from nature, to etch them

Xll PREFACE.

with his own hand, and to colour, or super-
intend the colouring of each particular
impression.

He therefore presumes to hope that he
has succeeded in giving a useful collection
of the leading flies for every month in the
season, and that any one, who may be led
by it to a choice of flies from the stock of
the manufacturer, or to the construction
of his own, will not have cause to repent
of having consulted the catalogue, chiefly
composing the fourth Chapter.

But since in his endeavours to improve
the art of fly-making, careful observations
were made relative to some of the habits
of the Trout and Grayling, and of many
insects upon which these fish prey ; it is
hoped that a few of these observations, inter-
mixed with a little useful information, and
some remarks on other points more or less
connected with the principal sul)ject, will not
be thought inappropriate. These form the
subjects of the three preceding Chapters.

Chiswick : June 1836.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE TROUT AND GRAYLING.

Of the Trout. His Weight, Colour, Condition, Haunts,

itc. Description of a Fishing-hut or Observatory.

The Trout's sense of Hearing. Sight. Taste and

Smell. Manner of Feeding, ttc.
Of the Grayling. Size. Colour. Season. Localities.

Habits. Food, &c. . . . . . page 1

CHAPTER II.

OF ROD, LINE, AND OTHER TACKLE.

The Rod. Line. Reel. End Line. Hooks. Dubbing-
bag. Feather-book. How to make a Winged Fly and
a Palmer. Dyes for Feathers. Fly Books. Creel.
Landing Net. Tackle-makers, <kc. ... 25

CHAPTER III.

MANNER OF FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING.

Preparation of the Rod and Line. Art of Throwing.
Choice of Weather. State of the Water. Choice of
3. Fly. Appearance of life to be given to the Flv.

XIV CONTENTS.

Buzz Flies. Rising short, &c. Sudden cessation of
Ilises, &c. Places to be whipped, &c. Throwing to
a Trout just risen. Striking. Killing. Landing.
Difference between Trout and Grayling fishing.
Manner of Presenting the Fly to a Grayling. Landing
him, &c PAGE 43

CHAPTER IV.

AN ILLUSTRATED LIST OF INSECTS, AND THEIR IMITATIONS,
USED IN FLY-PISIIING.

Introduction. Flies to be used in March. Flies for April.
For May. For June. For July. For August. For
September. Palmers for the Season, &c. . . 65

Index ......... 131

LIST OF PLATES.

Trout, Grayling, and Parr . Frontispiece

I. Haunts of the Trout, &.c. . . . page 4

II. Optical Diagrams . . . . .10

III. Fly-making Processes . . . .32

IV. Red Fly.— Blue Dun.— Red Spinner . 60
V. Water Cricket. — Great Dark Drone. —

Cow-dung Fly ..... 64

VI. Peacock Fly. — March Brown.— Great Red

Spinner ...... 68

VII. Golden Dun Midge.— Sand Fly.— Stone

Fly 76

VIII. Gravel Bed.— Grannom. — Yellow Dun . 80
IX. Iron Blue Dun. — Jenny Spinner. — Haw-
thorn Fly 84

X. Little Yellow May Dun.— Black Gnat.—

Oak Fly 88

XI. Turkey Brown. — Little Dark Spinner.^ —

Yellow Sally 92

XIL Sky Blue.— Fern Fly.— Alder Fly . . 96
XTII. Green Drake. — Grey Drake. — Orange Dun 100
XIV. Marlow Buzz.— Dark Mackerel . . 104

XV. Pale Evening Dun. — July Dun. — Gold-
eyed Gauze-wing . . . . .108

XVL Wren Tail.— Red Ant.— Silver Horns . 112
XVII. August Dun. — Orange Fly. — Cinnamon

Fly ....... . 116

XVIII. Blue Bottle.— Whirling Blue Dun.— Little

Pale Blue Dun.— Willow Fly . .120

XIX. Red Palmer. — Brown Palmer. — Black and

Red Palmer 128

THE

FLY-FISHER'S ENTOMOLOGY.

CHAPTER I.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE TROUT AND GRAYLING.

" I arrived there at dusk, and, beginning at the top of the
stream, fished it step by step. When I came to the middle
of the stream, where it was still very rough, there was a splash
at the fly, as if some one had thrown into the water a large
paving-stone, and my line flew over my head. On looking at it,
the sixteen hairs were staring in all directions, but the fly tvas
gone." — Arundo, p. 31.

The Trout, — Salmo Fario of the Naturalist, —
is generally the prime favourite of the fly-fisher,
both for his beauty, and for the sport he affords.
His enamelled sides, studded as with rich gems,
and his tints of yellow gold, make him bear
comparison with the salmon in point of beauty ;
while the amount of sport annually enjoyed in
Trout-fishing far exceeds that yielded by his
rival in this country.

Of the three varieties, the red, the yellow,

B

2 OBSERVATIONS

and the white, the red is preferred both for
beauty and flavour.

This justly-esteemed fish, when in the best
condition, measures from the nose to the fork of
the tail twice as much as his girth. The weight
of trout usually taken with the fly is from two
ounces to two pounds and a half; but they are
sometimes taken of four, and live pounds, and
even larger ; but under three or four ounces
they are too small for the creel.

The Trout has eight fins, viz. one dorsal, one
anal, one caudal, two pectoral, two ventral, and
a little fleshy one without spines on the back
near the tail-fin.

Sir H. Davy says (Salmonia, p. 73) : "I have
known the number of spines in the pectoral fins
different in different varieties of Trout : I have
seen them twelve, thirteen, and fourteen ; but
the anal fin always, I believe, contains eleven
spines, the dorsal twelve or thirteen, the ventral
nine, and the caudal twenty-one."

The back fin has a pale brown colour, with
darlvcr brown spots upon it ; tlie others (in-
cluding the tail) have a red tint. The colour
of the back, when in perfect condition (which is
generally in May, but in some waters not until
June), is usually a dark olive green, studded
with a mixture of black and brow^nish spots.
The sides are shaded off from the olive to a

ON THE TROUT. 6

greeiiisli yellow, studded with red spots ; the
black spots gradually vanishing. Lower down
the yellow tint approaches a salmon colour, and
the belly is nearly white, without any spots.

The whole surface of the fish, when in con-
dition, presents a beautiful gradation of tints :
but the complexion varies greatly in different
waters, and also in all waters at diiferent periods
of the year. It is principally modified by his
state of health.

Sir H. Davy says : " The colouring matter is
not in the scales, but in the surface of the skin
immediately beneath them, and is probably a
secretion easily affected by the health of the
animal." (Salmonia, p. 40.)

After spawning time, (i.e.) the month of
September or October, both the male and female
lose their more beautiful tints, become thinner,
and are considered quite out of season ; and
towards the end of the winter, and even in
March, some parasites, like leeches, about an
inch long, green and semi-transparent, are found
adhering to them. When in this sad state the
llesh, if cooked, cuts soft, and looks white, and
very different from the rich salmon colour which
always indicates good condition and qualit}^
Every true disciple of Izaak Walton who may
take such a thin black loohimj Trout will return
the lanky trophy to its native element.

B i>

4 OBSERVATIONS

Haunts.

To enumerate the rivers, streams, and brooks
of this country, v\diich the common Trout in-
habits, would be an endless and useless task ; he
may be said to frequent almost all of them, and
vvull even sometimes be discovered in a mere
ditch (in spavining time), having scarcely depth
of vrater enough to cover the back.

He delights in rapid clear-running waters,
with a rocky or gravelly bottom. An attempt
has been made in the annexed plan to point out
his favourite haunts, &c., in such waters. They
are, — 1st. The head and tail of a stream., in other
words, the ends of a rapid, as A. 2ndly. The
eddies formed by water passing round an obstruc-
tion in the current, as B. 3rdly. Such tracks as C,
where a chain of bubbles or little floating objects
indicate the course of the principal current ;
which course is chiefly dependent upon various
reflections of the water, from projecting banks,
rocks, scours, and shoals, and may often be
guessed at, when not sufficiently visible, by
attending to the position of the banks, &c. 4thly.
At the roots of trees, or in other places where
the froth (called in Stafibrdshire Beggar's Balm)
collects. 5thly. In little whirlpools, as G, he
will often be found during a fresh. He may then
]je ano-led for, if the water is much discoloured,

PL I.

\Q

' A

ON THE TROUT. 0

with ant-eggs, wasp-grubs, or gentles ; but a few
hours will often clear the rivers in the Peak, and
enable the angler to resume the fly-line. 6thly,
and lastly, a current between weeds, as at Q, where
the bottom is gravel, is a sure harbour for fish :
as the weeds not only shelter the Trout, and give
him boldness, but also are the lodgings of nume-
rous water insects. All such places are most
favourable for sport ; for insects follow the same
course as the bubbles, &c.,and are there sought
by the fish.

The larger Trout are on the scours, as at D,
in the night, chasing minnows and other small
fish. In the day, they are cautiously watching
for food in deep holes, under hollow banks, or
roots of trees, or hi the angles of rocks, as E.
In May and June, when the fish are strong, they
are chiefly to be found in the more rapid parts
of the water, as F ; and on the feed, conse-
quently.

These remarks, although not strictly appli-
cable to all streams, may still, perhaps, not be
found useless, and particularly in respect of
brooks and sviall rivers.

The great shyness of the Trout renders it
extremely difficult to obtain any accurate know-
ledge of his habits, by ocular demonstration.
Even a thick bush will seldom be found suffi-
ciently opaque to conceal the observer.

b OBSERVATIONS

Observatory .

With a view to obviate this difficuUy I built
a httle fishing Hut, or Observatoiy, of heath,
overhanging a part of tlie river Blythe, near
Uttoxeter, in Staffordshire, which seemed fa-
vourable for the purpose. Its form was octa-
gonal, and it had three windows, which benig
situated only four feet and a half above the
surface of the water, allowed a very close view of
it. The middle one commanded a Scour, each
of the two others a small Whirlpool or Eddy.
The curtains of the windows were provided with
peepholes, so that the fish could not see his
observer, and a bank was thrown up in order
to prevent a person approaching the entrance of
the hut from alarming the fish.

The stream was regularly fished, and nothing
more was done to interfere with the natural state
of its finny occupants.

The stationary position in which the Trout
is enabled to maintain himself in the most rapid
stream, poised like a hawk in the air, was the
first thing which struck us, in our observations.
Even the tail, which is known to be the principal
organ of propulsion, could scarcely be observed
to move, and the fins, which are used to balance
him, seemed quite useless, excepting when he
saw an insect ; then he would dart with tlie
greatest velocity through ihe opposing current

ON THE TROUT. 7

at his prey, and as quickly return. The station
which he occupies in this manner is invariably
well chosen. Should a favourite haunt where
food is concentrated by the current be rather
crowded by his fellows, he will prefer contending
with them for a share in it, to residing long in
an unproductive locality.

A Trout will chiefly frequent one place during
all the summer months. It is well known that
he quits the larger waters, and ascends the
smaller brooks for the purpose of spawning in
October and November, when the male assists
the female in making a hole in the gravel where-
in to deposit the ova. By some it is supposed,
that they both lie dormant in the mud during
the greatest severity of the winter.

Sense of Hearing.

In order that we might be enabled to ascertain
the truth of a common assertion, (viz.) that fish
can hear voices in conversation on the banks of
a stream, my friend, the Eev. Mr. Brown, of
Gratwich, and myself, selected for close observa-
tion a Trout poised about six inches deep in the
water, whilst a third gentleman, who was situ-
ated behind the fishing-house, (i.e.) diametri-
cally opposite to the side where the fish was,
fired off one barrel of his gun. The possibility
of the flash beinrr seen bv the fish was thus

8 OBSERVATIONS

wholly prevented, and the report produced not
the slightest apparent effect upon him.

The second barrel was then fired ; still he
remained immovable ; evincing not the slightest
symptom of having heard the report. This ex-
periment was often repeated, and precisely si-
milar results were invariably obtained ; neither
could I, or other persons, ever awaken symptoms
of alarm in fishes near the hut by shouting to
them in the loudest tones, although our distance
from them sometimes did not exceed six feet.
The experiments were not repeated so often that
they could become habituated to the sound, if
heard.

It is possible that fishes may be in some manner
affected by vibrations communicated to their ele-
ment, either directly, or by the intervention of
aerial pulsations ; although it does not seem to
be clearly proved that they possess any organ ap-
propriated exclusively to the purpose of hearing.
At all events, it appears that neither the above-
mentioned explosions, nor the loud voices, had
power to produce vibrations or undulations in
the water, which could so affect them.

Leaving the discussion of this intricate subject
to more able and learned speculators, we will
deem it sufficient for us to know that the above-
mentioned Trout had no ears to hear either the
voices or the gun ; and I firmly believe, that the

ON THE TROUT. 9

zest which friendly chat often imparts to the
exercise of our captivating art, need never be
marred by an apprehension that sport will be
impaired thereby.

Sight.

Of all the senses in fish, sight is perhaps that
which is of most importance to them. Their
eyes are of course well adapted to the element
they inhabit ; indeed their subsistence seems to
depend mainly upon the great sensibility of the
optic nerve, and the just adaptation of the cry-
stalline and other humours to their proper office.

A fish can perhaps frequently distinguish
much more of objects which are out of his own
element than it is often imagined that he can.

When Mr. A. B. (fig. 1, plate 2), for instance,
situated upon a certain eminence at a given
distance from a fish, C, which is near the bottom
of the water, looks over the edge of a bank, D,
in the direction AFZ, he might (if unacquainted
with the laws of refraction) imagine, that neither
the fish C, nor any other fish below the line of
his direct vision, AFZ, could see him ; whereas
C could see A B by means of the pencil of light,
AFCEB, bent, or refracted at the surface of the
water, EF, and the image of AB would appear
in the eye of the fish shortened and transferred
to GH. The fish, in fact, could see the whole of

1 0 OBSERVATIONS

the man, round, or over the corner of the bank,
by the aid of the water above C, if both were
situated as respectively represented in the dia-
gram ; but if the surface of the water should be
at IK, (i.e.) about as low as the fish's eye,
then he could not see any part of the figure AB,
because a straight or unrefracted pencil of light,
ACB, would be obstructed by the bank.

Increased obliquity in pencils of light falling
from an object upon a surface of water, is ac-
companied by still more rapidly increasing refrac-
tion : but the distinctness with which the object
is seen (increases in an inverse proportion.

The bending or refraction which a pencil of
light, as NEOFM (fig. 2), falling very obliquely
upon the surface of the water, undergoes before
arriving at the eye of a fish, at 0, is suffi-
cient to produce very great indistinctness and
distortion of the image of MP formed in his
eye.

Perhaps indistinctness of vision may, on other
accounts, also take place in the eye of a fish look-
ing through air. The crystalline and various
other humours may not be capable of such com-
prehensive adjustment as would enable him to
see so distinctly through air as he can through
water.

But long before a pencil of light, as N E L,
becomes horizontal, il will not enter the water at

/of

-^■f'h

ON THE TROUT. 11

all ; consequently, altliongli the fisli at 0 may see
the upper part of the man situated at MP, he
will do so very indistinctly, and in a new posi-
tion, because the pencil N E 0 F M will be very
much refracted ; he will not see the part, N L,
of the man at all, because the pencil, N E L,
does not enter the water at all ; and he will see
probably his legs, L P (in the clear water), be-
cause there is neither refraction nor obstruction
to prevent him. So that the figure M P will,
in the eye of the fish, be cut into two portions,
separated from each other by a long unsub-
stantial interval.^

The application of those two little theorems
to the use of the fisherman is very obvious.

In the first place, a low bank, almost on a
level with the water, is a great advantage to
the fisher, who is there seen with less distinct-
ness by his game : thus the shelving gravel
beds which reach far into the Dove, and other
Trout steams, are so many most advantageous
positions for the angler. (PI. I. K.)

^ This diagi'am is constructed on two well-known optical
laws, viz. first, the sine a. b. of the angle of incidence, A E f , of
a I'ay of light passing out of air into water, is always to the sine,
c d, of the angle of refraction, C E e, as about four to three ; and
secondly, light will not pass out of air into water, if the angle of
incidence, N E f (fig. 2) exceeds about 88 degrees, but will be
reflected.

The old experiment of the shilling and the basin of water
affords an easy practical demonstration of the first theorem in
the text.

12 OBSERVATIONS

Secondl}^ the wader, who is but ankle deep,
has an advantage over any angler on the bank :
and by very moderate wading, many scours and
shallows may be fished with success, where, in
bright summer M^eather, nothing could be done
from the banks : for example, in the clearer parts
of the Dove, and other bright streams.

Thirdly, in brooks, where fish are looking
up-stream for the flies and other food which
float down to them, good sport is to be had in
bright weather by walking up the middle, and
casting either fly or worm before you, especially
where the water is broken, either by running
over stones, or by tumbling over ledges of rocks,
&c., into little pools and basins. And observe,
that fish cannot see behind them ; all optics for-
bid it, especially when they are not looking out
sharply.

Taste and Smell.

It seemed almost impossible to devise experi-
ments relative to the sense of smell in fishes,
which would ofi'er the prospect of satisfactory
results, without depriving the animal of sight ;
the cruelty of which operation deterred me from
prosecuting the inquiry.

Observations on the taste of fishes are involved
in still greater difficulty. I once threw upon
the water, from my hut (by blowing them

ON Til P. TROUT. 13

throucrli ii till tube), successively, ten dead house-
flies, towards a Trout known to nie by a white
mark upon the nose (occasioned by the wound
of a hook), all of which lie took. Thirty more
with Cayenne fefiier and mustard plastered on
the least conspicuous parts of them, were then
administered in the same manner. These he
also seized, twenty of them at the instant they
touched the water, and not allowing time for the
dressing to be dispersed ; but the other ten re-
mained a second or two upon the surface before
he swallowed them, and a small portion of the
dressing parted and sank. The next morning
several exactly similar doses were taken by the
same fish, who probably remembered the pre-
vious day's repast, and seemed to enjoy them
heartily. From these and similar experiments,
such as getting Trout to take flies dipped in
honey, oil, vinegar, &c., I concluded that if the
animal has taste, his palate is not peculiarly
sensitive.

My experience goes to prove, contrary to the
opinion of some who say that the Trout will take
every insect, that he does not feed upon the Honey
Bee [Apis ■mellifica), or Wasp ( Vespa v^dqaris),
and that he very rarely takes the Humble Bee
(Bombus).

It seemed to be a common practice with those
who plied for food near the hut, to make a veiy

1 4 OBSERVATIONS

Strict iiispectiou of almost every little object
which floated down the stream, taking it into
the mouth, sometimes with avidity, sometimes
more slowly, or cautiously, as if to ascertain its
fitness, or unfitness, for food, and frequently to
eject it instantly.^ This seems to favour the
notion, that if the Trout has not a taste similar
to our own, he may be endowed with some equi-
valent species of sensation. It may also account
for his taking a nondescript artificial fly ; but it
furnishes no plea to quacks and bunglers, who,
inventing or espousing a new theory, whereby
to hide their want of skill or spare their pains,
would kill all fish with one fly, as some doctors
would cure all diseases by one pill. If a Trout
rejects the brown hive bee at the time that he
greedily swallows the March-/>row'7i fly, it is
clear that the imitation should be as exact as
possible of the last, and as dissimilar as possible
to the first.

I have very frequently watched fish in an
apparently hesitating attitude when Bees and
Wasps were within their ken. How far either
smell or taste may be concerned in this seeming
indecision I cannot determine.

On one occasion I observed a Humble Bee
which floated down the stream visited by Trout,

' After having', perhaps, appropriated some little insect
euibarkeLl upon it.

ON THE TROUT. 15

who sufiered himself to descend also with the
current just under the Bee, his nose almost
touching it for about three feet, but he struck
away without taking it.

At another time I saw a fish swim up to
a Humble Bee which was thrown to him, and
examine it ver}^ attentively ; he then cautiously
aiid leisurely took it in his mouth and descended
with it, but immediately afterwards gave it up ;
he then seemed to be closely occupied with an-
other Humble Bee, swimming up to and away
from it, six times, each time almost touching it
with his nose. Ultimately he took this also, but
immediately rejected it again.

Sir H. Davy (Salmonia, p. 28) says : " The
principal use of the nostrils in fishes, I believe, is
to assist in the propulsion of water through the
gills for performing the office of respiration ; but
I think there are some nerves in these organs
which give fishes a sense of the qualities of
water, or of substances dissolved in or diifused
through it, similar to our sense of smell, or
perhaps rather our sense of taste, for there can
be no doubt that fishes are attracted by scented
worms which are sometimes used by anglers that
employ ground baits." Also, p. 184, he says :
" We cannot judge of the senses of animals that
breathe water — that separate air from water by
their gills ; but it seems probable that as the

IG OBSERVATIONS

quality of the water is conner-ted with their Ufe
and health, they must be exquisitely sensible to
changes in water, and must have similar rela-
tions to it, to those which an animal with the
most delicate nasal organs has to the air."

Surely no reasoning can be more sound than
this. Should not our endeavours be directed,
rather to this discovery of sensations in fish,
which we have not, than to attempts at com-
parison between our own senses and theirs ? ^

Having examined the stomachs of many
Trouts taken in almost every week throughout
the three last entire fishing seasons, with a view
chiefly to assist my choice of flies for the catalogue
in our fourth chapter, I found that his food con-
sisted, besides Flies and Caterpillars, principally
of Water Larva', as Strawbaits, and Stonebaits,
swallowed whole, with the stones and small
shells adhering to them, — Squilhv, or Fresh-water
Shrimps, Small Fish, Young Craw-fsh, Spiders,

' Those who may have curiosity enough to pursue this
interesting topic, might possibly find amusement in the perusal
of a paper read to the French Institute by M. Dumeril, August
'24th, 1807, and translated in Nicholson's Journal, vol. xxix.
p. 344, in which many circumstances judiciously adduced, and
fairly reasoned on, lead him to three general conclusions ; viz.
1st. That the organ of taste in fishes, if taste they have, " does
not reside in the mouth." 2ndly. That the sensation of taste,
or some equivalent sensation, " is imparted to them by the
apparatus which had hitherto been considered as adapted to
perceive the emanations of odorate bodies." And, lastly, " tliat
no real smell can be perceived in water."

ON THE TROUT. 17

3[illipedes, Earwigs, and Water Beetles. I nevei
discovered Frogs, Snails, or Mice, but have no
doubt that other waters afford other dainties ;
and " Sauce piquante of fish-hooks " is common
to most Trout streams.

A convenient method of examining the con-
tents of the stomach is to put the materials into
a hair sieve and pump clean water upon them ;
when parted and sufficiently clean the whole
may be put into a large cup of clean water, for
examination.

This method of testing the actual food of the
fish in different waters and seasons will give the
angler most valuable information respecting his
game. Worms are the earliest bait that can be
employed with success after the winter ; then
comes the troller's turn, with his spinning min-
now or bleak for the larger Thames Trout ; and
the fly-fisher will find the fish in the humour
for feeding on the various insects that skim the
surface of the brook, as the advancing spring
brings forth its teeming myriads, and peoples
the glad waters anew with winged life and ani-
mation.

OBSERVATIONS

THE GRAYLING.

" Most writers, in treating of this fish, have stated that it '
struggles but for a very short time, and is, therefore, productive
of little diversion ; but the contrary is not unfrequently the
case." — Bainbeidge.

The Grayling, Salmo Thymallus of the naturalist,
is a more elegantly-formed fish even than the
Trout. He has a smaller head and mouth,
is broader across the shoulders, and tgipers off
more rapidly tov^^ards the tail, which is more
forked. The front of the eye is elliptical, and
the pupil much more elongated than that of the
Trout, the side towards the nose being drawn
out to an acute angle. The opposite side is less
acute.

His back fin is very large. It has twenty-
three spines, the ventral fin (near the head) has
sixteen, the pectoral ten, the anal fourteen, and
tlie tail eighteen.

He sometimes grows to the weight of about
three pounds, though one of a pound and a half
is considered a good-sized fish, and larger are
not very often caught with the fly, the usual
weight being from two ounces to a pound of
those which rise freelv to it. The fish of the

ON THE GRAYLING. 19

spawn of April or May (raeasui'ing from the
nose to the fork of the tail) grows to about six
inches by the next April.

A general tint, which may be called a light
blue silvery grey, pervades nearly the whole
surface of his body, excepting the belly, which
is white or nearly so, but the scales often exhibit
iridescent hues, of great beauty.^ The back and
head are of a much darker grey, but its com-
ponents cannot, perhaps, be described verbally.
Some lines of brown are intermixed with the
gre}^ of the sides, and a few black spots are seen
near the shoulder. The back fin has a purplish
tint studded with large dark spots, the other fins
are not so red as those of the Trout, but have
more yellow-brown in them shaded ofi' with
purple. The tail is a kind of slate colour. The
colours vary a little in different waters, and
unlike the Trout, the better the condition, the

^ From a very curious series of experiments detailed by Sir
David Brewster in his excellent treatise on optics (p. 113 et
seqq.) "it is obvious that the splendid colours of mother-of-pearl,
&c., are produced by a peculiar configuration of surface ; and by
examining this surface with microscopes, he discovered in almost
every specimen a grooved structure like the delicate texture of
the skin at the top of an infant's finger," &c. By cutting
grooves upon steel at the distance of from the 2,000th to the
10,000th of an inch apart, Mr. Barton produced still more
brilliant hues, and his iris ornaments on brass and other metal
buttons, and ornaments of dress, are the result of machiiiery
constructed on this grooving principle, upon which, we believe,
depend similar phenomena in the peacock's feather, &c. In
sun, gas, or candle-light some iris ornaments rival •' the brilliant
flashes of the diamond."

c 2

20 OBSERVATION'S

darker is the fish, especially upon the back and
head : " and you are to note," that the throat
has a long very dark brown patch upon it,
visible when the mouth is open, w^hen he is in
high condition, but it is hardly to be seen other-
wise. He is, however, seldom or never found
in the miserable state so common to Salmon and
Trout after spawning.

The Grayling is an excellent fish both for sport
and the table, and as his finest condition occurs
during the Autumn and Winter months, when
the Trout season ceases, the Angler finds great
pleasure and consolation in visiting the streams
in the autumn in search of him, or even on fine
days in winter. On this account, those who have
not the Grayling in their waters, would some-
times do well in trying to introduce him.

The waters in which he thrives may be either
clear or discoloured, but a rather peculiar forma-
tion of the bed of the current seems to be re-
quired, his favourite streams having now some-
what shallow and rapid, then long, slow-running,
deep tracts ; in which latter places he poises him-
self about three or four feet below^ the chain of
insects, &c,, as at H H (see plate 1).

As he feeds principally on larva3 and flies, he
should, according to Maltlius, be populous (all
other things being equal), in proportion as these
insects are so.

ON THE GRAYLING. 21

Temperature, both atmospheric and aqueous,
no doubt affects both the food and fish, as also
may the chemical properties of the stratum over
which the stream flows ; the mineral held in
solution by the fluid which he breathes cannot
fail to affect his constitution in some measure.

But there exists no authority for the localities
of the Grayling at all comparable with Sir H.
Davy, who " has fished much in, and inquired
much respecting the places where it is found."
At p. 221 (Salmonia) he says: "In the Test,
where the Grayling has been only recently
introduced, they have sometimes been caught
between three and four pounds ; in this river I
never took one above two pounds, but I have
heard of one being taken of two pounds and a
half The Grayling is a rare fish in England,
and has never been found in Scotland or
Ireland ; and there are few rivers containing all
the conditions necessary for their increase. I
know of no Grayling river farther West than
the Avon in Hampshire ; they are found in
some of the tributary streams of this river
which rise in Wiltshire. I know of no river
containing them on the North coast West of the
Severn ; there are very few only in the upper
part of this river, and in the streams which form
it in North Wales. There are a few in the Wye
and its tributary streams. In the Lug, which

22 OBSERVATIONS

flows through the next valley, in Herefordshire,
many Grayling are found. In the Dee, as I
said before, they are found, but are not common.
In Derbyshire and Staffordshire the Dove, the
Wye, the Derwent, the Trent, and the Ely the,
afford Grayling ; in Yorkshire, on the North
coast, some of the tributary streams of the
Rihble, — and the Swale, from Eichmond to two
miles below Catterick, — and in the South, the
Ure, the Tlliarfe, the Uumber, the Derwent, and
the streams that form it, particularly the Rye.'"

Again, at p. 203, he says : "Having travelled
with the fishing-rod in my hand through most
of the Alpine valleys in the South and East of
Europe, and some of those in Norway and
Sweden, I have always found the Char in the
coldest and highest waters ; the Trout in the
brooks risinof in the highest and coldest moun-
tains ; and the Grayling always lower, where the
temperature was milder : and if in hot countries,
only at the foot of mountains, not far from
sources which had the mean temperature of the
atmosphere ; as in the Vipacco, near Coritzea,
and in the streams which gush forth from the
limestone caverns of the Noric Alps.

" Besides temperature. Grayling require a
peculiar character in the disposition of the water
of rivers. They do not dwell like Trout in
rapid shallow torrents ; nor like Char or Chub in

ON THE GRAYLING. 23

deep pools or lakes. They require a combination
of stream and pool ; they like a deep and still
pool for rest, and a rapid stream above, and
gradually declining shallow below, and a bottom
where marl and loam is mixed with gravel ; and
they are not found abundant except in rivers that
have these characters."

The Eev. Mr. Low says : " The Grayling is
frequent in the Orkney Islands, as it is in Lapland
and Switzerland ; but it is rare in Scotland, and
confined in England to the Avon near Salisbury,
the Ure near Fountain's Abbey, the Dee between
Corwan and Bala, and the Dove ; also the Trent,
the Wharfe, the Humber, the E3^e, and the
Derwent."

The Grayling is seldom known to take the
Minnow, and I have never found any in his
stomach, although 1 have taken out many Larvas
covered with cases of sand, and some having six
stones attached to each, as also Larv^ when in
the Nympha state. I have always found flies,
and those principally of the more delicate sorts
of Ephemeras.

He rises with great velocity and almost per-
pendicularly to seize his prey, at the top of the
water, and descends as quickly after making a
summerset, for the performance of which feat
the figure of his body and the great dorsal fin
seem well adapted ; his agility on this occasion

24 OBSERVATIONS ON THE GRAYLING.

is indeed so great, that he seems a pliantom or
flitting shadow ; hence, say some, the appellation
Umbra changed into Umber. It has been sup-
posed that he feeds upon the water-thyme, but
I never found any vegetable whatever in the
stomach, though I have opened as many Gray-
ling as Trout. He has, however, a rather pecu-
liar scent when just taken from the water,
fragrant and grateful to the fisherman, and
thought by many to resemble that of thyme ;
whence he has been called by Linn^us Salmo
Thymallus, and by St. Ambrose " the Flower of
Fishes"

He seems to be more social in his habits than
the Trout, and is not so easily driven from his
station by an approach ; but whether this be
owing to his lying lower down in the water, or
from his being naturally a less timid and more
simple fish, remains yet to be ascertained. It is,
however, probable that he has less acute percep-
tions than his rival the Trout ; for the young
angler will soon find that, after missing him
once, he may count upon a second rise ; when,
if he is not flurried, perhaps he may secure his
prize with greater certainty than if the fish had
been hooked at first ; for he will take care not to
check him during his first rush, but have line
ready to give him as rapidly as the occasion
requires.

25

CHAPTER II.

OF ROD, LINE, AND OTHER TACKLE.

" Omnia qiise multo ante memor provisa repones,
Si te digna manet divini gloria ruris."

ViRG. Georg. i. 167.

" First, all thy tackle thoughtfully provide,
Ere April call thee to the Wandle's side :
So shall the glory of the streams be thine.
The spotted trophies of the tapering line I "

Like the bow of the Archer, the Eod of the
Angler should be duly proportionate in dimen-
sions and weight to the strength and stature of
him who wields it. The strong or tall man may
venture upon a rod about fourteen or fifteen feet
long : but to the person who is shorter or less
robust, one so short even as twelve or twelve feet
and a half, and light in proportion, is recom-
mended, as the command will be more easily
obtained, and with very much less fatigue to the
arm. The best materials are ash for the stock,
lance-wood for the middle, and bamboo for the
top ; the butt should have a hole drilled down
it containing a square top, and a spike is made
to screw into the end, which is found useful to
stick into the ground, and keep the rod upright

2G THE ROD AND LINE.

when landing a good fish. The ferrules of brass
should fit into each other with screws.

A good Eod should be such that its pliability
may be felt in the hand ; yet it should not
deviate or droop by its own weight, if held by
the butt in a horizontal position, much more
than a foot or two from a straight line.

The rings are usually too small ; not allowing
such slight obstacles on the line, as can never
be totally prevented, to run with sufficient free-
dom through them ; they should all be of the
size of those usually put upon the stock. The
rod may not have quite so neat an appearance
thus treated, but this will be found to be amply
compensated in its use ; for the sudden stops
occasioned by an accident to the line, whilst
being pulled up rapidly, has often caused the
escape of a good fish, the straining of, if not
breaking a good rod, and sometimes a total loss
of the angler's Vade Mecum, good temper.

Eings may be had split down the middle,
in the manner of key rings, very little heavier,
yet larger, than the usual ring's. These can be
easily substituted upon the little metallic loops
in lieu of the smaller rings, by the possessor
of the rod himself, without at all injuring it.^
Verhum sapienti.

' Fixed or snake rings are now nearly universal, and allow
the line to pass readily. — Ed. 10th edit.

THE REEL. 27

Reel Line.
The beginner should not take the finest Fly
L[NE he can buy, but rather choose the strongest
line of this kind to be had, since too fine a line
will not only be more likely to break than a
heavier one, but will not be so easy for him to
throw. A taper line entirely of hair, is the
easiest to cast with.

Eeel.

Notwithstanding the many complaints which
have been made of the Eeel usually sold, no
very great improvement upon it seems to have
been put into practice. The principal requisites
seem to be, in the first place, a capability of
winding up the line rapidly ; secondly, smallness ;
thirdly, lightness ; fourthly, freedom from liabi-
lity to derangement.

Perhaps rather too much of the first requisite
is generally sacrificed for the sake of cheapness,
and for the purpose of obtaining the second and
third. A reel having a sheave upon which the
line is to be wound, whose groove for the recep-
tion of the line is three quarters of an inch broad,
whose barrel is two inches in diameter, and
whose total diameter is two inches and three
quarters, would receive a trout-line of twenty
yards perfectly well. The whole diameter of
such a reel need not exceed three inches and a

28 OF TACKLE.

quarter, nor the whole breadth one inch and a
quarter. The wheels might multiply five times,
and therefore the average rate at which it w^ould
wind up the line would be nearly three feet for
every revolution of the handle, whereas a com-
mon reel (now before me), multiplying four
times, winds up at every turn of the handle,
when the line is nearly out, only three inches,
and when it is nearly wound up, eighteen inches,
making a mean of ten inches and a half. The
proposed reel would therefore wind up the line
more than three times as fast, and besides this
superior rapidity, would possess the advantage
of winding up the line almost as quickly when
it is nearly all out, as when it is nearly all in.
It might also be so constructed as to weigh very
little more than the common reel, made for such
a line, and would be less liable to derangement,
in consequence of both the multiplying wheels
being larger than usual.

For Trout-fishing a well-made brass multiply-
ing reel of medium size is to be preferred, such
as is usually sold for 7 or 8 shillings. If at-
tached to the extreme butt end of the rod, its
weight will be found an advantage.

A reel has been invented lately -containing a
spiral spring which acts (in the manner of the
spring in a window blind) upon the axis to wind
up the line.

Tin-: END LIXE, AND HOOK. 29

And it has been recent!}^, and very ingeniously
proposed by an experienced brother in our art
to inclose, either wholly or partially, a kind of
reel in the butt of the rod. If sufficient rapidity
can be given to such a reel, without much lia-
bility to derangement (which does not seem a
very difficult task), it will be an invaluable and
elegant acquisition. This hint seems to have
been jt^ar^zcz//?/ adopted since our first edition
appeared.

End Line.

For making a good End or Casting -line, gut
is recommended in preference to weed, or hair ;
it should be of the very best quality, round, and
of even thickness, clear, and hyaline in colour.
If preferred, it can be steeped a few minutes in
warm ink and water.

It may be made light, although as strong or
nearly so as the end of the line. The leno-th of
the bottom should be about equal to that of the
rod : or say, a foot shorter.

Four or five of the verv finest leno-ths of "-ut
should first be chosen, then three or four more
of the middle size, and lastly one or two much
stronger, rejecting the flat ends.

These may be further proved before they are
put together, thus : — One end of a length may
be put between the teeth or held with pliers.

80 OF TACKLE.

and the other pulled until the gut breaks at the
weakest part. This operation may be repeated
with the best portions, until they snap with
considerable resistance. Then the ends may be
reversed, and the operation proceeded with as
before, until the last remaining piece is deemed
strong enough for its office. This sacrifice of
the bad portions will not appear extravagant,
but the contrary, when it is considered that the
loss of a whole or large part of the foot-line,
with a fly or two, and perhaps a fine Trout, may
be the consequence of an undue weakness exist-
ing in any part of it. After all, fineness is not
to be sacrificed to strength, in Fly-tackle.

The selected lengths of gut must now be
steeped in water, and tied together with the
gut-knot, and the strongest must be provided
with a loop, whereby it may be attached to the
line. This should be done in such a manner, as
to be able to detach it again readily : which is
efiected by having a simple knot at the end of
your reel-line.

Hook.

The Hook requires particular attention. It is
a trial of temper to discover that one has made
a good fly upon a bad hook ; but to lose a good
fish in consequence is still more provoking.

The Kendal or Sneckbend hook (see fig. 40,

THE DUBBING BAG, AND FEATHER BOGK. 31

plate 17) is generally preferred in the midland
counties, if not made too long in the point. The
Limerick is also a good hook for large flies,
but made lighter than the Irish pattern. The
Carlisle or Eound-bend hook may also rank
amongst the good ones, fig. 38, plate 17. The
Kirby is used by some, and is an elegant shape,
for small flies; see fig. 37. All these, together
with the Kirby Round, which is the Eound-bend
lifted, like the Kirby, are manufactured well by
Messrs. Hutchinson and Son, of Kendal, successors
to, and (late) partners of the famous Adlington.
They have kindly undertaken to keep Grayling
Hooks, and Hooks for the Double Palmers, made
expressly for the present work.

To prove the temper of a hook, stick the point
into a piece of soft wood before it is fastened to
the gut, and pull by the shank. If it is M^ell
tempered, it will not break or bend without con-
siderable resistance.

Dubbing Bag.

The Dubbing Bag contains everything in the
world in the way of furs, mohairs, wools, and
silks. Some people have neat little cabinets
with cedar drawers made expressly ; we cannot
blame their taste, for they possess the means of
keeping their materials safe and ready for use.

32 OF TACKLE

Feather Booh.
As good feathers are valuable, they should
be guarded from the moth, by camphor, Eussia
leather, or other preservatives. It is a good
way to gum them in rows, in a book, placing a
strip of paper over the quills. The most neces-
sary feathers are : hackles from the neck of blue
dun hens, especially those with a ginger-coloured
edffinii : hackles from the neck, and near the tail
of game cocks, both red and furnace : hackles
from the neck of a black Spanish cock : scapular
feathers of the woodcock or grouse : and brown
mottled feathers from a partridge's back. These,
with wings of the starling, landrail, and hen
pheasant, and tail feathers of the wren, with
some peacock and ostrich herl, may suffice to
begin with. Some grey and brown mottled fea-
thers from the wild drake may also be provided.

Fly Making.
Many books, after trying to tell us how to
MARE A FLY, vcry justly add, that the art cannot
be communicated by writing, the practice must
be seen. We shall follow the fashion by way of
furnishing a few hints for those who are unable
to meet with a friend to direct them.^

^ Eyed hooks for flies have of late come into use, chiefly for
dry-fly fishing; but many anglers still prefer the- older way
of attachment, especially where rapidity of striking is of
importance, as it is not in dry-fly fishing. — Ed. 10th edit.

. -^ ? "^^ X

Fl.III.

'?sy

.AIao-uii',.<l

FLY MAKING. 33

1. Take a piece of very fine round gut, and
singe it in a candle at one extremity, in order
that it may be less liable to slip after being tied
to the hook, previously ivaxed. Then holding a
fine silk thread lightly waxed with soft shoe-
maker's wax, A B C D, plate 3, fig. 1, in one
hand, whip a part of it three or four times round
the end of the shank of the hook, beginning to
whip at B, and leaving a few inches of thread at
A B hanging down, with a pair of forceps, or
little weight at the end of it.

2. Hold the burnt end E, fig. 2, of the gut
E C F, in contact with the shank of the hook, and
wind tightly the portion of thread, CD of fig. 1,
first once or twice round the <?ut close to the end
of the shank, fig. 2, and then over the portion
of gut C E, the three or four coils B C, already
made, and the shank of the hook, C B E, leaving
out the piece of thread, A B, still hanging down.

3. Bring two or three stylish whisks from a
red hackle into the position shown in fig. 3,
and bind them securely there, for the tail, by
means of the same end (c, d) of silk as was last
used. Bind in, at the same time, the extremity
of a piece of fine gold twist (e, f), and also one
end of some dubbing of orange and red floss silk
mixed. Then spin the floss silk on to the rem-
nant (c, d) of thread, and wind it on the shank,
or wind it on the shank without spinning.

D

34 OF TACKLE.

4. Run the remnant (c, d) round the shank,
as far as B, and make it fast there with the
thread A B ; then wind the gold twist (e, f)
over the coils made by c, d in the manner shown
in fiof. 4, and make it fast also with the thread
A B. This completes the body.

5. Bring the butt end of the red hackle
stained amber colour into the position shown in
fig. 5, tie it there by means of the well-waxed
thread, A B, and cut off the projecting piece (G)
of the hackle.

6. Wind the other part of the hackle, B H,
fig. 5, two or three times round the upper end
of the body, and bind it tightly and neatly there
with A B, and in such manner that the fibres
may stand as shown in fig. 6. This represents
the legs.

7. Take two pieces, as shown in fig. 6, from
the under covert feather of a starling's wing, and
bind them on (with the butt end towards the
top of the shank) firmly and neatly, at nearly
the same place B (a little nearer to the top of
the shank). Part them, if you choose ; snip off
the butt ends obliquely, bind the short stumps
down upon the shank (so that they may not be
seen), and fasten off. You will now possess a
Great Red Spinner complete, provided always
that you have seen a little more of the art than
you have here read, and that you have been
yourself a tolerably good duhbiiig -spinner .

FLY MAKING. 35

To make a Buzz-fly with a hackle (see fig. 30,
plate 14), the upper or pomted end of the hackle
must be tied at the tail E, fig. 3, plate 3, with
the ends of the material of the body (by means
of the thread c, d), and the hackle must be
wound up over the dubbing, and fastened off
with the thread A B, after the gold or silver
twist or other ribbing has been wound on and
fastened off with A B.

If a Buzz-fly (as figs. 28 and 29, plate 13)
is to be made with any other feather than a
hackle, the feather should be stroked back, its
pointed end should be tied on at the shoulder B
(fig. 4, plate 3) of the fly, three or four coils of
the feather should be made round the part above
B, and the strands or fibres of the feather should
be carefully picked out, as the coiling proceeds,
otherwise it will not lie well. The butt end of
the feather must be tied in at the head of the fly
with the thread A B, which must be fastened off'
as usual.

In making a fly with wings intended to repre-
sent natural wings at rest (as fig. 2, plate 4),
the hackle feather may, in some cases, be dis-
pensed with, and a little of the dubbing may be
left out in the warping, or picked out of the body
with a needle, after the winding or warping, to
serve for legs instead of the hackle feather. In
every other respect the fly may be made in the

36 OF TACKLE.

manner prescribed for the Great Eed Spinner.
(See above, p. 33.)

When a hackle or other feather is used for
the purpose of imitating a winged fly-buzz, its
tint shouki be lighter than that of the natural
wings ; for the effect of the buzzing motion is
to give this lighter appearance.

To make a Palmer.

1. Burn in a candle the end of a strong piece
of gut, and whip a part of the thread A B C D,
fig. 1, plate 3, round the end of the shank of a
hook (as before, see p. 33).

2. Place the gut in contact with the hook,
and wind the portion of thread, C D, of fig. 1
over the part of gut C E, fig. 2, the three or
four coils B C, and the shank of the hook C B E,
&c., not leaving the end of thread, as before,
hanging from B, but including it in the new
coils, and allowing it to hang from E, fig. 7.

3. Wind rapidly (or run) c d back again to
C, and include the butt end of a red hackle G H
(fig. 7) in the four or five last coils of this
winding.

4. Bring another smaller hook, I, into the
position shown in fig. 7, and attach it to the gut
EOF, by winding the same thread, c d, round
its shank and the gut. Then wind c d two or
three times round the gut only (close to the end

FLY BOXES. 37

of the hook), and back again two or three coils
over the shank, to form the head of the Palmer.

5. Tie in (with the same thread, c d) another
hackle, K L, by the butt, together with three
peacock's herls, M N.

6. Wind the thread c d with the peacock's
herls, spun or rather twisted on it, back to C
and make it fast there (or hold it tight), but do
not cut off the remnant. Also wind the hackle
K L over the dubbing of peacock's herl back to
C, and tie it, picking out any strands which may
happen to be tied in, and snip off the ends of
KL.

7. Now wind the remaining dubbing-spun
piece of silk (c d) over the coils of thread and
the shank of the first-mentioned hook down to
E; bind it there with the well-waxed thread
A B ; wind also the hackle G H over the dubbing-
down to E, make all fast by means of the thread
A B, snip off all the remnants, and your red
Palmer (see fig. 45, pi. 19) will be ready to
make a pilgrimage in search of a Trout.

Fly Boohs ^ Boxes, et cetera.

Having lost many flies out of the boxes and
books usuall}^ sold, I at last adopted the follow-
ing little device of a friend, which has certainly
served to retain them better, and to keep them
in better order for selection. Several round

o8 OF TACKLE.

pieces of cardboard (as fig. 8, plate 3) are first
fi.tted to the box. At the centre of each of these
is fixed a piece of cork, round which two con-
centric circles of stitches of gut (or sometimes
very well waxed fine silk thread) are formed,
and they are covered at the back (or under side
of the card) with a piece of paper pasted over
them. Ou the upper side and under these
stitches the barbs of the hooks are passed, the
long ends of the gut are put through a hole in
the centre of the cork, and these cards are
packed in the box over each other, without
injury or derangement to the flies upon them.

Experience has suggested a still better
method of securing and preserving them in good
order, viz. to stick them upon fine flannel, and
to arrange them in a fly -case or book containing
a separate space for each sort. By these means,
when one is wanted in a hurry, it is easily and
without derangement found. The flannel (fine
Welsh flannel is the best) may be gummed upon
the parchment of the leaves, the oil in which,
together with that of the wool, preserves the
hook from rust ; a point of much importance.

The Basket or Creel should not be large and
cumbersome, and should neatly fit the back. It
may be painted black.

The Landing-net should be light, the handle
long, and the net deep.

DYEING. 39

Nothing need here be said of the other little
necessaries, conveniences, and luxuries which
tackle-makers know so well how to describe and
recommend. These gentlemen should be listened
to, even although one may sometimes pay rather
dearly for the whistle. More fish than cash is
taken by their nets after all ; and everybody
knows the peculiar comfort of being well pro-
vided with tackle (and Prog by the bye) when
distant from the sources of provision. We also
know the pride and pleasure of supplying a
" Venator " with a seasonable well-made fly or
a length of gut, all which has many a time led
to an agreeable acquaintance with a brother
angler.

BECIPES FOB DYEING AND STAINING
FEATHERS, ETC.

1. TO DYE WHITE FEATHERS A DUN COLOUR.

Make a mordant by dissolving about a quarter
of an ounce of alum in a pint of water, and
slightly boil the feathers in it, taking care that
they shall be thoroughly soaked or saturated
with the solution ; then boil them in other water
with fustick, shumach, and a small quantity of
copperas, put into it until they have assumed
the required tint. The fustick and copperas will
make a yellow dun tint ; the shumach and cop-

40 OF TACKLE.

peras a blue dun tint. The greater the quantity
of copperas the deeper will be the dye.

2. TO TURN RED HACKLES BROWN.

Put a piece of copperas, the size of half a
walnut, into a pint of water ; boil it, and whilst
boiling put in the red feathers. Let them
remain until by frequent examination they are
found to have taken the proper colour.

8. TO STAIN FEATHERS AN OLIVE DUN, ETC.

Make a very strong infusion of the outside
brown leaves or coating of an onion root, by
allowing the ingredients to stand warm by the
fire for ten or twelve hours. If dun feathers
are boiled in this dye they will become an olive
dun ; and white feathers a yellow. If a small
piece of copperas be added the latter colour will
become a useful muddy yellow, darker or lighter
as may be required, and approaching to a yellow
olive dun, according to the quantity of copperas
used.

4. TO DYE A mallard's FEATHER FOR THE GREEN DRAKE.

Tie up some of the best feathers in bunches
of a dozen, and boil them in the same mordant
of alum as given in No. 1, merely to get the
grease out. Then boil them in an infusion of
fustick to procure a yellow, and subdue the

DYEING . 41

brightness of this yellow by adding nitrate of
copper to the infusion.

5. TO DYE FEATHERS DARK RED AND PURPLE.

Hackles of various colours, boiled (without
alum) in an infusion of logwood and Brazil wood
dust until they are as red as they can be made
by this means, may be changed to a deeper red
by putting them into a mixture of muriatic acid
and tin, and to a purple by a warm solution of
potash. As the muriatic acid is not to be satu-
rated with tin, the solution must be much diluted.
If it burns your tongue much, it will burn the
feathers a little.

6. TO DYE RED HACKLES A CLARET COLOUR.

Boil a tea-spoonful of Brazil wood in half a
pint of water, and simmer some lightish furniss
hackles in this for a quarter of an hour. Then
take them out and immerse them in muriate of
tin, with the addition of a little muriatic acid.
Wash and dry.

7. TO DYE FEATHERS VARIOUS SHADES OF RED, AMBER,
AND BROWN.

First boil them in the alum mordant (see
No. 1) ; secondly, boil them in an infusion of
fustick strong enough to bring them to a bright
yellow (about a table-spoonful to a pint of water),

42 OF TACKLE.

then boil them in a dye of rnather, peach wood or
Brazil wood. To set the colour, put a few drops
of ^'^ dyer s spirit" (i.e. nitrate of tin combined
with a small quantity of common salt), which
may be had from a silk-dyer, into the last-men-
tioned dye.

8. TO STAIN SILK GUT THE COLOUR OF RET, WEEDS, ETC.

Make an infusion of onion coatings (see
No. 3), put the gut into it when quite cold, and
let it remain until the hue becomes as dark as
may be required.

Gut may be stained in an infusion of green
tea, a useful colour for some waters.

A dye of logwood will turn it to a pale blue ;
especially with the addition of a little copperas.

Although anglers mostly prefer the natural
feather to the dyed one ; yet, as the exact tints
cannot be always obtained, artificial means must
be frequently resorted to. Even prejudice too
must admit that dyed feathers take the water
more readily than others. The difficulty of
wetting some feathers, especially of sea-fowl and
pigeons, is a great objection to their use.

CHAPTER III.

MANNER OF FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING.

" With rod and line I sued the sport
Which that sweet season gave."

Wordsworth.

When the rod is put together, the rings ' upon
it should fall into a line with each other. The
reel containing the line is sometimes attached
to a belt round the body, but generally to the
rod at the distance of ten to fourteen inches
from the end of the butt, (i.e.) that place where
it produces a small and pleasant degree of coun-
terbalance to the upper end of the rod.- The
fine end of the line with a loop receives the foot
line with a draw-knot, and to the fine end of the
foot line is attached a fly or palmer, which is
called the Stretcher. Other flies, which are
made fast to the foot line, are called Droppers,
two of which are generally sufficient. The first
dropper is placed at about one yard and a quar-
ter distant from the stretcher, the second about

^ It is hardly necessary to remind the reader that fixed or
snake rings have superseded hanging ones. — Ed. 10th edit.

' Some of the best rod makers now place it quite at the end,
and my practice seems to prove that this is the best position
for it.

44 OF FISHING FOR

a yard from the first, each upon a piece of gut
about four inclies loni?. And tlie knots used
for tliis purpose are so contrived, tliat tliey can
be detached and resumed at pleasure.

Throwing.

In order to acquire tlie art of throwing a fly,
it may be advisable to practise, previously to
visiting the stream, in a space free from trees,
where a piece of paper may represent the spot
required to be thrown to. Taking the wind in
his back, the tyro, with a short line, at first may
attempt to cast within an inch or two of the
paper, and afterwards, by degrees, lengthen his
line, as his improvement proceeds ; he may then
try to throw in such a direction that the wind
may in some measure oppose the line and rod ;
and, lastly, he may practise throwing against
the wind. In this way any person may become
an adept in throwing a lly, much sooner than by
trusting solely to the experience which he may
get when at the water-side ; for his attention
being then wholly engrossed by the hope of a rise,
&c., a bad habit may be very easily engendered,
which will not be as easily got rid of.

He should endeavour to impart to the end of
the line a uniform sweep or curve round his
head ; for if it returns too quickly or sharply
from behind him, a crack will be heard and the

TROUT AND GRAYLING. 45

fly whipped ofT. There is some httle difficulty
in acquiring this manipulation. The larger the
fly the more resistance it meets with in the air ;
this resistance causes it to make a better curve,
and the danger of smacking it off is lessened.
A Palmer, made as shown in plate 19, is not
easily lost in this manner.

An attempt to describe all the precautions
and manipulations requisite for throwing a fly
successfully and gracefully would be as hopeless
a task as that of trying to teach dancing by
words. It must be abundantly evident that the
fly should drop as lightly as possible on the
water, and that an awkward unmannerly sjylash
must inevitably mar the illusion.

Weather and Water,

The best days to select for fly-fishing are the
warm and cloudy, with a gentle breeze from
South or West causing a ripple upon the
water; by which the fish is not only prevented
from seeing the fisherman so plainly as in
smooth water, but is also deprived of so good
an opportunity of detecting the fly-maker's
artifice.

The water after a flood sometimes remains
for several days too turbid for fly-fishing. When
it is very low in its bed and clear, the circum-
stances are also unpropitious, and success is

46 OF FISHING FOR

obtained with difficult}'. When the water is
unusually high, though it be 7iot discoloured, the
fish seem to be feeding more at the bottom than
above ; but these two last obstacles will not
deter the sportsman from trying his skill.

Choice of Flies.

The selection of a fly requires more judgment,
experience, and patience,' than any other branch
of the art. The beginner will soon discover that
his choice cannot be absolutely decided by refer-
ence to the catalogue in the following chapter
merely, or to any catalogue whatever. For
when a fly is (in the former) said to be in season,
it does not follow that it is abroad on every
day of its existence. The state of the weather,
in respect of heat and moisture, has great in-
fluence in this respect ; he should therefore bear
in mind that the Coleopteron, or Beetle, will
be on the water on hot days principally : the
Ephemera, or fish fly, on rather cold da3"s : the
Phryganea, or water fly, as the Grannom, &c.,
on cloudy days with gleams of sunshine : the
Diptera and other land flies as the Cow Dung,
&c., on windy days. He would often do well to
begin fishing with a Palmer as a stretcher, and
the fl}'' which see7ns most suitable for the day as
a dropper, one yard and three quarters from it r
not changing these until he can discover what

TROUT AND GRAYLING. 47

fly tiie fisli are actually rising at. The Palmer
is never totally out of season, and is a good fat
bait.

It should never be forgotten, that, let the state
of the weather or the water (in respect of clear-
ness) be what it may, success in fly-fishing very
much depends upon showing the fish a good
imitation, both in colour and size, of that insect
which he has recently taken : an exact resem-
blance of the shape does not seem to be quite so
essential a requisite as that of colour, since the
former varies, according to the position of the
insect either in or upon the water ; but a small
fly is usually employed when the water is fine,
because the fish is then better enabled to detect
an imitation, and because the small fly is more
easily imitated. The resemblance of each parti-
cular colour, &c., is not required to be so exact
as in the case of a large fly.

When the fly is thrown on the stream, some
little resemblance of life must be attempted to
be given to it ; this I imagine to be best accom-
plished by throwing across and down the cur-
rent : the top of the rod should in this case, after
throwing, be held over the side of the stream, on
which the fisherman stands ready to strike ; the
current will then act against the part of the line
lying on the water, and cause the fly to sail over
towards the same side, yet still to float down a

48 OF FISIIIXG FOR

little, as a natural fl}^ when struggling might be
supposed to do.

When the fly is thrown into a still place, a
few gentle jerks (after it has remained a second
or two on the water) may be given to it ; but
no greater force should be used than is sufficient
to move a foot or two at a time.

Some fishermen generally prefer their flies
made buzz, (i.e.) representing probably flies
with their wings fluttering, or in rapid motion ;
wdiilst others succeed best with their flies made
with the wings to represent the appropriate
natural wings at comparative rest. Probably a
difference in the mode of fishing may create this
difierence of choice in the make of a fly. He
whose manner of fishing is that of throwing
down the stream, close to the bank on which he
stands, and then drawing the fly up the current,
towards him, or in anv manner oivino' it a good
deal of motion, may find that the Buzz-fly, made
with a three-year-old cock's hackle, is best
suited to that method, on account of the above-
mentioned fluttering appearance ^ ; whilst the

^ Any pei'son may becomo convinced of this resemblance by
visiting the Serpentine in Hyde Park (or similar waters) on a
warm evening of April, and by very carefully watching the
motions of the Golden Dun (see Chap. IV. No. 10) immediately
after it has quitted its nympha state. He will then see it
buzzing along upon the surface of the water for some yards
(previously to taking flight), and assuming an appearance
exactly like that of the buzz hackle, &c.

TROUT AND GRAYLING. 49

artificial wingfs, resemblinof the natural win^s of
a fly partially immersed in the water, would be
more suitable to the quieter mode of fishing.

Much valuable time is frequently lost by
changing the fly often. It is better to persevere
with that which produces tolerable sport, than
to do so.

Rising short, cfc.

A fish is said to rise short when he does not
seize the bait voraciously and confidently ; and
this want of zeal is no doubt frequently occa-
sioned by the imitation shown to him being too
faint a resemblance of the real insect.

Fish will sometimes rise freely at one moment,
and in ten minutes afterwards not a rise is to be
seen. One frequent cause of this is no doubt a
want of food to rise at. A sudden change of
weather, so slight as to be hardly perceptible to
us, may have great influence upon the insects,
as we perceive that it often has upon cows,
asses, dogs, and many other animals.

Another cause for diminution or cessation of
sport may be the falling of the M^ater in the bed
of the brook or river, occasioned l)y the stopping
of a mill above the situation of the fisherman.
I have observed from the fishing-house very
frequently a remarkable diminution of rises in a
given interval to occur as soon as the water

60 OF FISHING FOR

began to drop in consequence of such a stoppage.
When this case occurs he will, generally, do
better by going below the next mill which is
working, or above that which has just stopped,
than by remaining in the first place.

We have already pointed out in the plan or
map, and in Chap. I. p. 4, the places in a brook
wdiere Trout and Grayling are chiefly to be
found : such places should be carefully whipped.
Two or three throws in the same place are
generally sufficient.

We have also shown above the great advan-
tage of avoiding high stations, of seeking low
ones, of stooping down sometimes as low as
possible, and even of wading, provided that the
fisherman takes care not to get " caught by the
fish." Waterproof fishing boots as used in
Scotland, or India-rubber overalls, as about
Sheffield, are good things.

An endeavour to prevent our shadow, and
even that of the rod, from falling on the water
should also be adopted, when practicable.

Throwing to a Fish just risen, and hilling him.

When a fish has just risen at a natural object,
it is well for the fisherman to try to throw into
the curl occasioned by the rise, and left as a
mark for him ; but should the undulations have
nearly died away before he can throw to the

TROUT AND GRAYLING. 51

spot, then he should throw (as nearly as he can
judge) a yard or two above it, and allow the flies
to float down to the supposed place of the fish ;
if a rise does not occur, it may be concluded
that the fish has removed without seeing them :
he may then try a yard or two on each side of
the place where the curl appeared, when he may
probably have a rise, and may possibly hook the
fish, provided he has the knack of striking, which
knack, like all others, is acquired only by prac-
tice ; it must be done by a very sudden but not
a very strong stroke, a twitch of the wrist.
Having hooked him, the rod should be carefully
retained in that position which will allow its
greatest pliability to be exerted. To do this, it
may be advisable to get it up over the shoulder,
and present the butt-end towards the fish. A
gentle pull must now be kept upon the fish, and
he should be led down the stream by all means,-
making use of the reel as occasion may require
to shorten the line. But if he runs in towards
the bank upon which the fisherman stands, it
will be necessary to approach the edge of the
water as nearly as possible, holding the rod with
an outstretched arm in almost a horizontal po-
sition ; and if the reel is of the usual bad con-
struction, it will be also necessary to pull in the
line as quickly as possible with the left hand :
this may prevent the fish from reaching his

e2

52 OF FISHING FOR

harbour : if it slioiild not, lie will most likely
twist the gut round roots or weeds, and break
away.

To kill him, the nose must be kept up as much
as possible ; should he be very importunate and
resolute, he may be lent a little more line now
and then, but it must be promptly retaken with
tremendous interest, and got up as short as pos-
sible. After various fruitless efforts to escape,
which exhaust his strength, the nose may be got
fairly out of the water, he may be towed gently
to the side, and the landing net passed under
him.

From the time of hooking the fish, if a large
one, to the time of landing, care must be had
that the line shall not be touched by the hand,
excepting under the just mentioned circum-
stances ; all should depend upon the pliability
of the rod. In case a landing net should not be
at hand, the reel may be stopped from running
back, the rod stuck up in the ground by the spike,
and both hands being disengaged, the fisherman
may stoop down and grasp him firmly behind
the gills. But the angler would do well rather
to take the fish down stream to the nearest
shallow, and draw him gradually upon some
shelving bed of gravel, where this is practicable.
The rod can then be retained in the left hand,
while the fish, even if a trout ofb\ lbs. weight, can

TROUT AND GRAYLING. 53

be gentl}^ but firmly grasped with the other ; as
the writer has once proved to his satisfaction.

If a fish of less than six ounces is hooked
fairly, he may be cautiously lifted out by the
line ; but should he begin to struggle in the least
degree, he must be allowed to drop into the
water, where he will be again under the influence
of the pliable rod, when he must be towed up
again, and another effort made to secure him.

The principal differences between Trout and
Grayling Fisfmig are, that the latter requires a
more delicate hand, a quicker eye, and the use
of smaller flies upon the finest gut. The strike
must be made on the instant of the rise. The
fish may be sometimes seen, if he be of a good size
and the water bright, a few inches before he gets
up to the fly, and the fisherman must strike im-
mediately that he does so, for his motion at the
instant of seizure is too rapid to be visible.

When the fisherman comes upon a favourable
place for Grayling, he should recollect that this
fish does not follow the fly as the Trout does,
and should therefore allow it to float down the
stream in a natural way ; for should a Grayling
be waiting for it, when it is drawn away, " the
fish will be disappointed of that which it was
the fisherman's intention to entertain him with."

It must also be remarked here that the mouth
of the Grayling is much more tender than that

54 nSIIINC. FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING.

of tlie Trout, therefore much more care in land-
ing is recjuired ; and a landing net is generally
indispensable, especially where the banks are
liio-h, for the mouth will seldom bear the wei2;ht
of the fish out of the water.

An exception in regard to striking must be
made in the case of large Grayling or Trout ; as
such will generally strike themselves, if the line
is not too slack. There is much dano-er of
breaking your hold or tackle by striking such
fish ; and especially if you are throwing down
stream. Many an angler has lost his fly, or
broken the point of his hook, by striking at the
moment of a good rise. The point of the hook
is in danger, when it catches the bony part of a
Trout's mouth ; and the fly is lost by the gut
snapping, close to the head, when the movement
of a large fish is simultaneous with the angler's
striking. In such a case both angler and fish
pull at once, a point always to be avoided.

55

CHAPTEE IV.

ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE OF INSECTS FOR THE FLY-FISHING
SEASON, WITH THEIR IMITATIONS.

" Although the imitation of nature is the principal object to
be desired by the flymaker, yet in some instances it will be
advisable to enlarge or diminish the proportions of the artificial
fly. ... If the river be very high, the fly may be dressed larger
than nature ; if very low, the size may be reduced, and the body
made thinner than the natural fly appears." — Bainbridge.

We now enter upon our special province ; for
hitherto we have been occupied with introduc-
tory matters. This Fourth Chapter supposes the
angler to be in some degree a proficient, fairly
provided with the materials for making a fly ;
with the finest silks, red, lemon colour (called
primrose silk by the angler), and purple, with
orange and claret, if possible ; also blue dun
furs, light and dark, hare's ear, and fox ; a few
wings of the unsunned starling, as the softest,
taken just before the birds quit the parent nest,
also of the landrail, hen pheasant, and hen black-
bird ; and, above all, some dan hackles^ from the
neck of blue dun hens, light and dark, and some
with a fT^olden edoinsf or fringe ; some red and
furnace hackles from the neck of game cocks,

50 CATALOGUE OF INSECTS,

some black from a Spanish cock ; some peacock
lierl of a ruddy copper tint ; and a little gold
twist of two sizes. These and some of the finest
gut, a.nd choice sneckbend hooks, are required of
necessity. And it is supposed that the angler
who aspires to make a fly can fasten a hook to
gut neatly with very few turns of silk, and can
fasten-off cleverly. But, now he is passing on
to fly-making, let him observe that his silk had
better be only half as thick as what he has
hitherto considered the very finest. Ah ! what
trouble would this hint have saved the writer
when he be^an to make flies. The besfinner will
make twice as many turns with the silk as the
skilful adept, and his silk therefore must he of
the finest.

Aim first ?it neatness wot at strength. Adjust
the hackle to the size of the hook, by observing
that the fibre, or half the feather, is the exact
length of the hook from head to bend. The
same of the feather for the wing. As a rule,
make the wing exactbi the length of the hook.
Afterwards you will vary a little, as judgment
shall direct. By making all the Hies in this list
in turn you will acquire dexterity in imita-
tion ; but a beginner would do well to take the
easiest first, as No. 30, and then No. 27, and so
proceed to the Duns and Spinners after a little
practice.

WITH THEIR IMITATIONS. 57

Th.eDims are the small Epliemeridce (or day-
flies) in the Imago or winged state, but hnper-
fect., and preparing to cast off a fine skin that
envelopes them (wings and all), and to become
Spinners. In the former state they are less
transparent, and their wings best imitated by
the upper surface of a starling's feather ; but
in the latter they are bright and glossy, and the
under surface of the feather used for the wings
should be showm.

The bodies of these delicate insects are some-
times beautifully imitated by stained hair and
gut ; but a fly should be made as soft as silk, and
softer, if it is to be retained in the mouth of a
fish many seconds. This is the chief reason why
wings stiffened with varnish and gut bodies can-
not supplant the old-fashioned furs and feathers.

It will be a great assistance to procure a set of
flies dressed accordino- to the directions of this
book, which can be had of Mr. Eaton, ^ Nos. 6
and 7, Crooked-lane, London, long commissioned
by the author to sell his flies.

The first effect may possibly be one of dis-
appointment, because they will not look so large
or so brijT'ht as the enijravings. But neither will
the real insects. So that seeing them will correct
erroneous impressions, and help the book in

' Now Eaton & Deller.

68 CATALOGUE OF INSECTS,

giving instruction most powerfully. One word
to the finished artist^ who may perchance cast a
glance at these pages, and we M'ill enter on our
Catalogue. His praise will be appreciated even
when qualified with censure. If he grants that
something has been done in the right direction
by ascertaining the scientific name and some-
what of the habits of the chief angling flies,
and that the imitations are simplified, as far as
practicable, and the instructions sound in the
main, this is great praise from a judge, or we
are mistaken. After all, what is a descriptive
catalogue of the best insects for fly-fishing ? If
followed blindly without intelligence, it will be
as useless as a dictionary in the hand of untu-
tored youth. But use it intelligently as a help,
not as an oracle, and it will assist and facilitate
your studies. But it requires ingenuity and
perseverance, observation and judgment, aye,
travel too, and experience, to make an angler !

A glance at the subjoined classification of
insects may encourage the fly-fisher to take
an interest in those orders on which his sport
chiefly depends. These will be seen, in the
sequel, to be the Neuroptera and Diptera ; and
next to them, the Coleoptera.

Insects, properly so called, are icinged, have
six legs and two antennce. They are divided into
1. Mandihulata (or chewers), and 2. Haustel-

WITH THEIR IMITATIONS. 59

lata (suckers). Of tlie former there are four
orders : Coleoptera (beetles), Orthoptera (grass-
hoppers, &c.), Neiu'optera (may- flies, &c.), and
Hymenoptera (bees, &c.). These are furnished
with mandibles. The Haustellata, which live by
suction, form five orders, as follows : —

Lepidopfei^a (moths and butterflies), Diptera
(oak-fly, &c.), Ilomoptera (cicada, &c.), Hete-
roptera (known as " heavy cavalry,'' &c.), and
Aphaniptera {'"'light infantry" &c.). These,
then, are our nine orders of insects, to be still
subdivided into families, genera, and species.

To descend to minor matters, the hooks re-
ferred to below are those of Messrs. Hutchinson
and Son, Kendal (successors and late partners of
the famous Adlington), of the sneckbend form,
longs and shorts, with two Nos. of Grayling Hooks,
finer in the wire, and two of Double Hooks, for
Palmers, made expressly for this edition. Should
description, after all, fail to convey the minute
instruction requisite for the beginner, he is re-
commended to seek the aid of some proficient,
who will kindly examine and correct his first
essays at fly-making, and send him patterns to
cop3^ with the exact materials for each fly.

60 FLIES FOR MARCH.

No. 1. THE EED FLY (Old Joan).

Order, Neuroptera
Family, Perlidce
Genus, Nevioura
Species, nehidosa.

No. 2. THE BLUE DUN (Cock Tail),

Order, Neuroptera

Family, Eijliemerida

Genus, Potamanthus

Species, rufescens {Pseudimago).

No. 3. THE KED SPINNEE.

Order, Neuroptera
Family, Ephemeridce
Genus, Potamanthus
Species, rufescens (Imago).

ti.it:

Wn

FLIES FOR MARCH. 61

No. 1. THE EED FLY.

In a forward spring this fly comes out about
the middle of February ; it is in season until the
end of March, and may be used on fine but
rather windy days until the Blue Dun and other
flies come in. I have taken very large Grajding
with it. It is abundant at Bakewell in March
and April.

IMITATION.

Body. The dubbing is composed of the dark
•red part of squirrel's fur, mixed with an equal
quantity of claret-coloured mohair, showing the
most claret colour at the tail of the fly. This is
spun on brown silk thread, to form the body.

Wings. From the softest quill feather of the
pea-hen's wing which approaches the tint.

Legs. Of a claret-coloured staiiied hackle.
No feather of its 7iatural colour, that I know of,
is of the proper shade. Clip some of the upper
fibres ofi", that the wings may lie flat. Hook
No. 2, short.

Eemarks. This is the earliest fly in North
Derbyshire. The tint of the wings is that of a
cake of glue held between the eye and the sun.
It is best made hackle-wav, with the under covert

C2 FLIES FOR MARCH.

feather of a woodcock's wing wound upon the
above body. In Lancashire it is called " Old
Joan," and the body is made rough with claret-
coloured German wool. Thus made it kills well
in the Derwent.

No. 2. THE BLUE DUX.

This fly lives three or four days in the state
represented ; then becomes the Eed S2:)inner. It
begins to be plentiful in the early part of March,
should the weather be mild. When in full season
it will be found on the water, chiefly on rather
cold windy days. It endeavours to take flight
in three or four seconds after emerging from the
Pupa. On cold days it seems to have rather
more difficulty in rising from the water than in
warm weather, and consequently becomes very
frequently food for fishes at the moment of its
assuming; the winched state.

IMITATION.

Body. Fur of a hare's ear or face, spun very
thintyon fine yellow silk, and wound on thickest
at the shoulder. Some of the dubbins!' is then
picked out to form legs.

TxiiL. Two fibres of a Dun Hackle.

Wings. From a quill feather of the starling's

FLIES FOR MARCH. 63

wing, "wliicli may be slightly stained in onion
dye.

Legs. If a sufficient quantit}^ of dubbing
cannot be picked out for the legs, two or three
turns of a Ginger Dun hackle can be added, and
will help to keep the wings upright. Put these
on last, whipping them on the bare hook, and
finish at the head. Hook No. 2, Grayling.

Eemarks. This elegant fly kills well till June
made as follows : Body of yellow silk waxed,
with a very little Blue Dun fur from rat, mouse,
mole, or rabbit, spun upon the silk so that the
yellow shows through. Body tapering from
shoulder to tail.

Legs. A Honey Dun hackle ; four or five
turns.

Wings. A starling's quill feather, put on
last, on the bare hook, so as to stand up boldly.

Thus made, it is a good Fly for Parr} When
you can put this fly together well you have
reason to hope you are improving : for the Duns
are delicate insects to imitate. Wax j'our silk
lightly.

^ It is now illegal to take parr. "Whether the law would not
attain its object better by strengthening its provisions against
the destruction of gravid salmon rather than by prohibiting the
catching by rod and line of any out of the innumerable millions
of parr which swarm in our salmon rivers, many of which must
in any case be hooked and injured by the trout fisher, may be
questioned. To allow a rod-fisherman to take a reasonable
number — saj', adozen or so in a day — would not affect the stock
of any river. — Ed. 10th edit.

64 FLIES FOR MARCH.

No. 4. WATER CRICKET.

Orde r, Hem ipte ra
Family, Hydrom etrida
Genus, Velia
Species, rivulorum.

No. 5. GREAT DARK DRONE (Saw Fly,

Gkeat Dakk Dun).

Order, Hymenoptera
Family, Tenthredin idee
Genus, Dolcrus
Species, niger.

No. 6. COW-DUNG FLY.

Order, Diptera
Familij, Muscidcs
Genus, Scatojjhaga
Species, stercoraria.

Pl.V.

"^

PLIES FOR JIAKCH. 65

No. 3. THE EED SPINNEE.

This is the name given to the Blue Dun, after
it has cast off its olive dun coat. It now appears
of a bright red brown, and its wings, which were
before rather opaque, are transparent. It lives
four or five days. It sports in the sunshine,
and will be more successfully used in warm than
cold weather ; but when the sun becomes too
powerful, this delicate insect seems to be disabled
from continuing abroad in the middle of the day,
and is to be considered more as an evening fly.
Several of the other Spinners (or Ephemeridse
in the jierfect imago state) resemble it so nearly,
that it may be kept as a model ; the tint only
varying, as will be subsequently shown. This
is a difficult fly, for the beginner.

IMITATION.

Body. Thin, of bright brown silk, ribbed
with fine gold twist.

Tail. Two whisks of a red cock's hackle.

Wings. Upright, from a mottled grey feather
of the mallard, stained to match the colour of
the natural wings.

Legs. Plain red cock's hackle. Hook, No. 2,
Grayling.

Eemarks. Some of the best Derbyshire

F

6G FLIES FOR ]\lAECn.

anglers make it thus : — Wing, upriiilit from
under covert wing feather of a young grouse.
Body, silk, the colour of Eussia leather, and
ribbed with the finest yellow silk. Two dun
fibres for tail.

But after a frosty morning they make it as
follows : — AVing, starling onion dyed ; body,
claret silk ; legs, dead furnace hackle. Thus
made, it is called the " Frost Fly."

No. 4. THE WATER CRICKET.

This insect lives upon small flies, &c., whose
blood it sucks in a manner similar to that of the
land spider. It runs upon the water, and darts
upon its prey while struggling on the surface,
and is amongst the first insects which the Trout
finds there. In the hot summer months it is
provided with wings. It may be fished with
throughout this month, and the next, on all sorts
of days, but principally when the Blue Dun is
not very abundant upon the water.

IMITATION.

Body. Orange floss silk, lied on with black
silk thread.

FLIES FOR MAECII. G7

Legs. Are made best of one of the two
longest feathers of a peawit's topping. If this
cannot be easily procured, a black cock's hackle
will answer the purpose and is easier to use.
Either of these must be wound all down the
body, and the fibres then snipped off, as far up
as is shown in the figure. Hook, No. 0, or 1.

Eemaeks. The rib may be formed with black
silk, and the hackle fastened under the shoulder.
This is an easier way.

No. 5. GEEAT DAEK DEONE.

This fly is found upon the grass in a I'ery dull,
almost torpid, state, until nine or ten o'clock in
the morning, whence its name of Drone ; but
when the sun begins to warm the air, it takes
wing; and afterwards, if there be a slight breeze,
it will be found upon the water.

There is a great variety of colour in the genus.
A bright orange is sometimes seen all over the
body, a lemon colour sometimes pervades only
the middle part of the body, the knee joints are
sometimes tipped with orange, sometimes orange
veins appear in the wings ; and there is one
variety of the most beautiful pea green colour

G8 FLIES FOR MARCir.

No. 7. PEACOCK FLY (Little Chap).

Order, Coleoptera
Family, Staph ylinidce
Genus, Quedius
Species, hcemorrhoiis.

No. 8. MARCH BROWN (Dun Drake, called in
Wales the Cob Fly).

Order, Neuroptera

Family, Ephcmeridce

Genus, Baetis

Species, longicanda $ {Pseudimago).

No. 9. GREAT RED SPINNER (Light
Mackerel) .

Order, Neuroptera
Family, Ephemeridie
Genus, Baetis
Species, longicauda {I mayo).

^*>t%sJ^

(^''"•*^'

FLIES FOR MARCH. 69

ima<iinable ; but tlie black body is by far ^tlie
most frequently met with, and therefore the fly
with this colour is usually fished with.

IMITATION.

Body. Mole fur, ribbed over with black
ostrich, when spun on black silk.

WiXGS AND Legs. Made buzz with a dun
hackle, the tint a shade or two lighter than that
of the natural wings. Hook, No. 4, long.

When this fly is made with wings and legs
not buzz, the dun feather of the wing of the
mallard is used, and a grizzled hackle for legs,
upon the same body.

Eemarks. The use of a smaller "Spring
Black " than the above is recommended in pre-
ference.

Body. Black ostrich herl.

Wings and Legs. Purplish breast feather of
a cock starling, wound on as a hackle. Hook,
No. 1, long.

The larger black flies are seldom observed so
early in the season. But a black fly of one sort
or another is seldom useless on your lash.

70 FLTK.S FOK MARCH.

No. 6. COW-DUNG FLY.

This fly is to be seen throughout the year.
It is very abundant about the middle of March,
"vvhen vast quantities are seen upon the water if
there be a high wind. The colour of the male,
when newly hatched, is a very bright tawny
yellow, that of the female a greenish brown ; she
is rather smaller than the male, is found in as
great numbers on the water, and is as good a fly
to imitate. This insect is not in full season after
the end of April, but in very blustering days
may be used all the year round. It is a fly that
varies much in size, the early specimens being
mostly small.

IMITATION.

Body. Yellow worsted, mohair, or camlet,
mixed with a little dingy brown fur from the
bear, and left rough, spun upon light brown silk.

Wings. From the landrail.

Legs. Of a oinoer-coloured hackle.

The female is made buzz thus :

Body. Olive-coloured mohair, or worsted,
spun on silk of the same colour.

Wings and Legs. Of a red cock's hackle,
changed to a brown colour by putting it into a
solution of copperas. Hook, No. 3, short.

FLIES FOR .MAEC'lI.

No. 7. PEACOCK FLY.

Tliis fly represents a small beetle, extremely
abundant on warm sunny days. Its usual habit
on alightinor is to o-atlier up the wings under its
short wing scales (a habit like that of the earwig,
which flies about in autumn); but when it falls
upon water, it cannot always succeed in doing
so ; then, therefore, the wings lie nearly flat
upon its back. However flne the day may be,
and however clear the water, some sport may
still be expected with this fly, until the end of
May, but it is most successfully used on a sultry
gloomy day.

IMITATION.

Body. Euddy brown peacock's herl, dressed
with mulberry-coloured silk.

Wings. The darkest part of a wing feather
of the starling.

Legs. A hackle stained dark purple ; ap-
pearing black when looked down upon ; but
when held up to the light, having a most beauti-
ful dark tortoiseshell hue. (See Dyes, Chap. II.
article 5.) Hook, No. 1 or 2, short.

Eemaeks. The Buzz form of this fly is a
great Grayling killer, in spring and autumn, and
is much prized on the Derwent, near Eowsley.

72 FLIKS FOK WAll(;ir.

It is made tlius : Bodv, the reddest strand of a
peacock's feather.

Legs and Wings. A lightish dun hackle ;
made with mulberry-coloured silk. It is called
" The Little Chap," and is described with varia-
tions, by Arundo, in "Practical Fly-fishino-," p. 26.

No. 8. MAECII BEOWN.

The nympha of this fly seems to require a
warmer day to enable it to rise to the surface of
the water, and to change to a fly, than is re-
quired for the similar rise and metamorphosis of
the Blue Dun's nympha (No. 2); the fly lives
three days in the state represented in the figure,
then changes into the Great Eed Spinner (see
fig. 9). The male has a chocolate hue, and the
female a green brown ; it generally appears in
great numbers upon the streams, wdiere it is
found toward the latter end of March, and is
very eagerly devoured by the Trout. It con-
tinues in season until May ; and although it can
only occasionally be found later, recent ex-
perience has convinced me of the propriety of
using it, upon some waters, as late even as Juty
or August.

FLIES FOE MAECH. 73

IMITATION.

Body. Fur of the hare's face ribbed over
with ohve silk and tied with brown.

Tail. Two strands of a partridge feather.

Wings. Quill feather from the middle of the
hen pheasant's wing, which may be found of the
exact shade.

Legs. A brown mottled feather from the
back of a partridge. Hook, No. 2, 3, or 4, long.

Eemaeks. The female of this excellent fly
must by no means be neglected; and observe
that females are generally a few days later in
their appearance on the water than the males.

Body. Pale olive green wool, ribbed with
fine gold twist.

Legs. A honey dun hackle, that is less
bright than a golden dun.

Wings. Upright, the same as for the male ;
but the hackle will impart a lighter shade.

This is a great killer on the Dove. In Wales,
they make it as a hackle with a brown mottled
feather of a partridge, and rib with pale green
silk.

It is equally celebrated in Scotland, as a
first-rate killer : and certainly may be used with
success, again in July,

74 FLIKS FOE MARCH.

No. 9. GllEAT KED SPINNEE.

The Dun Drake (fig. 8) changes into this
Spinner, and enjoys for three or four clays its
newest state and title. It seems to be in season
much longer than the Dun Drake, and may even
be used on warm evenings durinof most of the
summer months : yet although the Dun Drake is
not seen on the water after the middle of May,
it would seem that it must still continue to come
into existence afterwards, otherwise the Great
Eed Spinner could be in season only three or
four days longer than the Dun Drake. ^

IMITATION.

Body. Hog's down dyed red-brown (or orange
and brown floss silk mixed), spun on brown
silk. It is ribbed with fine gold twist.

Tail. Two lorn? whisks of a brioht amber
red hackle.

Wings, From an under covert feather of the
starlincf's winc^.

Legs. A bright amber red hackle. Ilook,
No. 2, 3, or 4, long.

' Although I have spoken of this Spinner as appearing
thronghont most of the summer months, I am by no means
certain that the specimens which are produced later than the
middle of May may not be a distinct although similar species
of liaetis.

FLIES FOR APRIL. 75

No. 10. GOLDEN DUN MIDGE.

The male has feathered antemiEe, which the
female has not. It seems to require a warm
day to disengage itself from its water nympha.
On such days very great sport may be had with
it until the end of May. In its larva state, it
is the Blood-worm of an^^lers.

IMITATION.

Body. Olive floss silk ribbed with gold twist,
and tied with dun silk thread.

Wings. From the palest feather of a young
starling.

Legs. A pure dun hackle, wound on in front
of the wings. Hook, No. 1, Grayling.

Eemarks. No fly is more abundant, espe-
cially in showery weather, and just after rain.
It is a prime favourite on the Dove. A delicate
hand is required to make this fly handsomely, and
the finest silk. Though shoemaker's soft wax
is generally to be preferred, as most durable,
colourless wax has an advantage for makinjj
delicate flies like this and the Jenny Spinner.

7G FLIES FOR AI'RIL.

No. 10. GOLDEN DUN MIDGE (Golden Dun).

Order, Dlptera
Family, Tipulidce
Genus, Cliironomus
Species, plumosus.

No. 11. SAND FLY.

Order, Trlclioptera
Family, Phryganidce
Genus, Limnepliilus
Species, Jlavus.

No. 12. STONE FLY.

Order, Neuroptera
Family, Perlida
Genus, Perla
Species, hicaudata.

Ft. vn:

I \

^

y

FLIES FOR APRIL. 77

No. 11. SAND FLY.

This fly comes from a water larva. It is
highly extolled by Mr. Bainbridge, who says,
" that it may be reckoned as one of the best flies
for affording diversion which can possibly be
selected, for it may be used successfully at all
hours of the day, from April to the end of Sep-
tember, and is ecj^ually alluring to the Trout and
Grayling." (Fly-Fisher's Guide, p. 143.) My
own experience leads me to recommend the use
of it during April and May, on days when there
is no abundance of any particular insect on the
water. A fly ver}^ like it is used in September
and October, called the Cinnamon fly.

IMITATION.

Body. Of the sandy coloured fur from the
hare's neck, spun on silk of the same colour.

Wings. From the landrail's wing made full.

Legs. From a light ginger feather from the
neck of a hen. Hook, No. 2, long.

Eemaeks. a good variation of this fly is to
use orange silk, and show it most at the tail ; and
instead of a light ginger hen's hackle, use one
with a dark stripe down the middle. In any
case cut off* the upper fibres of the hackle that
the wings may lie flat. The above is a good
Grayling and Dace fly, in July and August.

78 FLIES FOR AI'RIL.

No. 12. THE STONE FLY.

This fly comes from a water larva. It is heavy
in its flifrht, but uses its leijfs with extreme
activity, and is generally found amongst the
stones or close to the sides of the water. I have
kept one alive for three weeks, during which
time it drank much water. It is in season from
the beginning of April until the end of May, and
should be used in the rapid parts of streams,
and on windy days where the water is rough.

IMITATION.

Body. Fur of hare's ear mixed with yellow
worsted or camlet, ribbed over with yellow silk,
leaving most yellow at the tail.

Tail. A strand or two of a brown mottled
partridge feather.

Wings. Quill feather from the hen pheasant's
wing.

Legs. A hackle stained greenish brown : or a
natural dark grizzle. Hook, No. 4 or 5, long.

Eemarks. This fly kills best, when used in
its natural state, either by dibbing with a short
line in still deep water : or by wading up the
streams, and throwing carefully with a few yards
of line. Used thus, it kills the largest trout from
early morning till late at night.

FLIES FOR APRIL. 79

No. 13. THE GEAYEL BED.

This fly is not found upon all waters : upon
those where it is found it is extremely numerous
on fine days ; but in cold weather it seeks shelter
amongst the larger stones of the gravel. It may
be used all the day. It comes in about the
middle of April, and lasts about three weeks.

IMITATION.

Body. Dark dun, or lead-coloured silk thread
dressed very fine.

Wings. From an under covert feather of the
woodcock's wing.

Legs. A black cock's hackle rather long,
wound, twice only, round the body. Hook,
No. 0 or 1, long.

To make it buzz, a dark dun cock's hackle
may be used, with a ginger tinge at the edo-es.

Eemaeks. This fly kills well in May ; weather
bright, water clear, and luhen no other fly unll
raise fish. Some prefer the brightest outside
(scapular) feather of woodcock's wing : and use
the same feather, to make it buzz. The silk for
the body should be of the most repulsive, ashy,
livid hue that you can find.

80 FLIES FOR APRIL.

No. 13. GRAVEL BED (Spider Fly, Sand Gnat).

Order, D'vptera
Family, Tipulidce
Genus, Anisomera
Species, ohscura.

No, 14. GEANNOM (Granam, Green Tail, Shell
Fly).

Order, Trichoptera
Family, PJiryganidce
Genus, Limnephilus
Species, striatus.

No. 15. YELLOW DUN (Dotterel Dun).

Order, Neuroptera

Family, Epliemeridce

Genus, Ba'ctis

Species, flavescens {Pseudim ago) .

Fl: VJII

.^^\\
""^^\

.-^•u

FLIES FOB Al'ElL. 81

No. 14. THE GEANNOM.

This fly comes from a water larva, and is upon
the surface at about the same season as the Gravel
Bed (No. 13), and chiefly in the morning and
evening. It lasts a little longer. The green tint
of its body is derived from the colour of the
eggs. It lays these upon the water. There are
several species, but the figure (14) represents
the most common kind, and I have taken many
of these flies out of the stomachs of Trout, even
in August, which had a green colour at the tail
of their bodies, and were as nearly as possible
of the same size and general tint as those of
April.

IMITATION.

Body. Fur of hare's face left rough, spun on
brown silk. A little green floss silk may be
worked in at the tail to represent the bunch of
eggs there.

Wings. Feather from the partridge's wing,
and made very full.

Legs. A pale ginger hen's hackle. Hook,
No. 2, long.

Made buzz with a feather from the back of
the partridge's neck, wound upon the above
body.

Remarks. The Shell Fly, or Palmer, as this

G

82 FLIES FOR APRIL.

is sometimes called, kills well made buzz with
a landrail's scapular feather. Bod}', pea-green
German wool. Make with orange silk, shown
only at the head.

It is a good fly all the summer months, and
into September.

No. 15. THE YELLOW DUN.

This beautiful fly, proceeding from a water
nympha, lives in the form shown about three
days. It is on the water generally from ten
o'clock until three, and is one of our best flies.
There is a larger variety upon some waters,
having a greenish yellow cast in the body and
butt of the wing, but which hitherto has not
proved so successful as that represented.

IMITATION.

Body. Yellow mohair, mixed with a little
pale blue fur from a mouse. Or yellow silk
thread waxed, and with the least blue rabbit fur
spun upon it, and ribbed with yellow silk.

Wings. Upright, from the lightest part of a
young starling's quill feather.

Legs. A light yellow dun hackle. Hook,
No. 2, Grayling.

FLIES FOR APKIL. b6

To make it buzz, a lighter dun hackle than
is represented in the figure is wound upon the
same body. In either case make with primrose
silk, and delicately.

This Yellow Dun changes to a Spinner of
rather a lighter and yellower brown than that
which the Blue Dun (No. 2) turns to, is very
nearl}^ of the same size, and lives nine days. It
is to be used on warm evenings. Its imitation
may consequently be made of the same materials
as that of the Eed Spinner (see No. 3), only
choosing lighter tints.

Eemarks. If made as a hackle, prefer a cock's
hackle for Grayling, a hen's hackle for Trout ;
and rib with unwaxed yellow silk over the body,
as above. When made with the feather of a
dotterel as a hackle, it is called the " Dotterel
Dun," a far-famed fly.

No. 16. THE lEON BLUE DUN.

After emerging from its water nympha, this
fly remains about two days in the state shown,
and then changes to the Jenny Spinner (see No.
17). It is one of the smallest flies worth the
angler's notice, but not the least useful. The

S4 FLIES FOR Al'lilL.

No. 1(). IRON BLUE DUN.

Order, Ncurojotera
Family, Ei)lieinerul(e
Genus, Cloeori
Species, diptera {Pseiulimago).

No. 17. JENNY SPINNER (Spinning Jenny).

Order, Ncuroptera
Fainily, EpJt cmeridce
Genus, Cloeon
Species, diptera {Inia(jo).

No. 18. HAWTHORN FLY.

Order, Diptera
Family, Tipididce
Gemis, Bihio
Species, IMavci $

FLIX.

A;X

c

FLIES FOR APRIL. 85

male has a brownish red crown or cap on his
head. The female is also crowned, but her cap
is too small to be easily seen. It is in season
from the latter end of April until the middle of
June, and is on the water chiefly on cold days ;
influenced by weather in a manner similar to the
Blue Dun. (See No. 2.)

IMITATION.

Body. Blue fur from a mole. Eeddish brown
floss silk may be tied on for the head.

Tail. A whisk or two out of a yellow dun
hackle.

Wings. From a feather of the under-side of
the cormorant's wing ; or, in default thereof,
a feather from the breast of the water hen, the
tip of which must be used. Or the upper end
of the wing feather of a tc^mtit when in full
plumage.

Legs. A very small yellow dun hackle.
Hook, No. 0, short.

It is difficult to find a hackle feather of the
tint proper to make this fly buzz.

Eemarks. a feather from the Merlin hawk's
wing may be used, if procurable, to wing this
fly. {Arando, p. 29.)

86 FLIES FOR APRIL.

No. IT. THE JENNY SPINNER.

This is the name given to the Iron Blue
(No. 16) in his new dress, and it lives four or
live days after the metamorphosis, sporting in
the still summer atmosphere. The Iron Blue
must be coming out of its njanpha at the same
time that this fly is in season : the Iron Blue is,
however, found on the water chiefly on cold days,
from the end of April until the middle of June.^
The Jenny Spinner lasts all the summer, is out
on mild days, particularly towards the evening,
and is a killing fly even when the water is ex-
tremely fine.

IMITATION.

Body. White floss silk wound round the
shank of the hook, &c., and tied on at the head
and tail with brown silk, which must be shown.

Tail. A whisk or two of a liqht dun hackle.

' A little dark dnn with a brown head, not exactly similar
to, but very much like the Iron Blue, is found in August, and
then a Spinner like the Jenny Spinner has an orange-coloured
head, and the extremity of its body a lighter colour.

There is also upon some waters a rather smaller ephemeral
fly, similar in colour to the Jenny Spinner, whose metamor-
phosis does not change much, in tint, from the original. It is to
be found, in some seasons, upon the Blithe, in Staffordshire ;
but upon Lake Tal-y-llyr, in North "Wales, this insect is so
ninnerous, on warm evenings, as to form clouds, settling upon
the dress of a person passing by the lake (or upon any other
object), where, in five or ten minutes, it changes its coat, leaving
the old one upon the dress, &c., which, if of a dark colour, be-
comes spangled with seemingly white spots. The tail increases to
quite four times its original length when this change takes place.

FLIES FOR APRIL. " 87

Wings and Legs are best imitated by making
them buzz, for which purpose the hghtest dun
hackle that can be procured should be used.
Hook, Xo. 0, short.

Ko. 18. THE HAWTHOEN FLY.

This fly may be seen about the last week in
April, when the air is warm, sporting up and
down by the sides of hedges, and may then be
used. There are three very common species,
one of the size represented, another much larger,
and another much smaller. The female of each
has dark wings, and opaque ; whereas those of
the male are black, but transparent. Her head
is very much smaller than that of the male, and
her body thicker. The male is most abundant.
The figure (18) represents him.

IMITATION.

Body. Black ostrich herl.

Wings. A feather of the starling's wing.

Legs. A black cock's hackle ; or one of the
two largest feathers from a peawit's top knot.
Hook, No. 2 or 3, long.

The fly cannot very easily be made buzz, un-
less the female is imitated, in which case a black
hackle, wound over the above-mentioned black
ostrich herl, will answer the purpose ; and the
fly so made is sometimes called the Black Palmer,
or Black Caterpillar.

88 FLIES FOR MAY.

No. 19. LITTLE YELLOW MAY DUN (Silk

Fly).

Order, Neuroptera
Family, Ephemeridce
Genus, Cloeon
Species, striata (Pseudimago).

No. 20. BLACK GNAT (Black Midge).

Order, Diptera
Family, Empidce
Genus, PJiampliomyia
Species, Mthiops.

No. 21. OAK FLY (Downhill Fly, Ash Fly,
Cannon Fly, Downlooker, Woodcock Fly).

Order, Diptci'a
Family, lUiagionidce
Genus, Leptis
Species, scolopacea.

»?'

21

,-%

FLIES FOR MAY. 89

No. 19. THE LITTLE YELLOW
MAY DUN.

This fly, proceeding from a water nymplia,
remains in the state represented about three
days, then changes to a very light red, or amber-
coloured, spinner. It lasts (as shown) in season
until the Green Drake (No. 28) comes in at the
end of May, or beginning of June.

IMITATION.

Body. Pale ginger-coloured fur from behind
the hare's ear, ribbed over with yellow silk
thread.

Tail. One or two whisks from a dun hackle.

Wings. Mottled feather from the mallard,
stained as for the Green Drake. (See list of
Dyes, Chap. IE. p. 39, article 4.)

Legs. A light dun hackle also very slightly
stained yellowish in the same dye. Hook, No. 2,
long.

The Light Amber Spinner, to which tliis fly
changes, lives in its new state about four days.
It is used successfully on the evenings of warm
days.

90 FLIES FOR MAY.

No. 20. THE BLACK GNAT.

This insect skims the brook all day long in
immense crowds, flying at great speed for about
ten yards up and down the stream. When night
approaches, or on cold wet days, it may be found
on the grass at the water side. The stomachs
of Trout have been found nearly gorged with this
fly. It is in season from the beginning of May
until the end of June. This is not a Gnat
(Tipulidos), but a Midge (one of the Empidai).

IMITATION.

Body. Black ostrich herl.

Wings. The dark part of a feather from the
starlinsf.

Legs. A black hackle. Hook, No. 0, or 1 ,
short.

To make it buzz, a light dun hen hackle may
be wound upon the above body ; and thus made,
it kills decidedly best.

Eemarks. There is another imitation of the
Black Gnat, of which Grayling are very fond.

Body. Black ostrich herl.

Wings and Legs. The purplish breast feather
of a cock starling, wound on hackle-wise.

The Black Midge should be made like the
icinged imitation of the Black Gnat, but with the

FLIKS FOR MAY. 91

substitution of a thin black silk body. These
black flies resemble many small beetles, and may
be ranked among " general flies." In fine low
water, after Midsummer, they are most useful,
in the rapid parts of streams.

No. 21. THE OAK FLY.

This fly may be found upon the trunks of
any kind of tree or post near the water side.
As soon as it alights, it turns its head down-
ward. It is in season throughout May and
June, and may be used with most success on
windy days. It kills well in the natural state,
by dibbing with it in the still deeps of trout
rivers.

IMITATIOiX.

Body. Orange floss silk tied with ash-
coloured silk thread, which may be shown at
the tail and shoulders.

Wings. From a scapular feather of the wood-
cock.

Legs. A furnace hackle (i.e. a red cock's
hackle, with a black list up the middle, and
tinged with black also at the extremities of the

92 FLIES FOR MAY.

No. 22. TUEKEY BROWN (Little Bkown Dun).

Order, Neuroptera
Family, Ephemeridce
Genus, Potamantlms
Species, roseus {Pseudimago).

No. 23. LITTLE DARK SPINNER.

Order, Neuroptera
Family, Ephemeridce
Genus, Potamanthus
Species, roseus (Imago).

o. 24. YELLOW SALLY (Flat Yellow).

Oi'der, Neuroptera
Family, Perlidre
Genus, Tenthredo
Species, viridis.

T^

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PL XI.

tl^

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4'

FLIES FOR MAT. 93

fibres). This should be struck from tail to head,
and the fibres snipped off nearly up to where
the wings are set on, leaving a sufficient quantity
for the legs. Hook, No. 2 or 3, long.

Eemaeks. The small woodcock and grouse
feathers (which can be used indifferently) make
very neat hackle flies ; and the beginner will
find a pleasure in making the Oak Fly of various
sizes in the following easy manner : — Body,
orange floss silk, ribbed with fine black silk,
which may be slightly waxed. Then form the
head of your fly with your arming silk (brown),
and choosing a woodcock or grouse feather,
whose fibres are the exact length of the hook, stroke
it back, and tie it (upside down) by the ti^? to
the arming of your hook, just clear of the head,
and wind the feather round as a hackle, holding-
it by the quill, and fasten off under the shoulder.

The fly so made, of Green Drake size, is an
excellent Chub fly in the Trent and most rivers,
and maybe used with a large Coch-a bonddu on
the same lash. It is not every angler who lives
on the banks of a trout stream. Oj^tandimi qui-
dem erat.

The imitations of the Oak Fly resemble also
another fly still more abundant and common,
called the Scorpion fly [Panorpa communis).

94 FLTES FOR MAY.

No. 22. THE TURKEY BEOWN.

This fly comes from ca water nympha, lives
two days as shown, and then turns to the Little
Dark Spinner (see No. 23). It is to be used on
cold days ; is a very good fly upon some waters,
and is in season from about the time that the
March Brown becomes scarce until the end of
June.^

IMITATION.

Body. Dark brown floss silk ribbed with
purple silk thread.

Tail. A whisk or two of a red cock's
hackle, stained as for the legs.

Wings. Tip of the brownest feather from a
partridge's tail, or, if well selected, a feather
may be found on the back of the partridge.

Legs. Eed cock's hackle, stained a good
brown with copperas.

To make it buzz, a feather from the grouse
may be tied on hackle-wise, in the manner shown
for the Green Drake, No 28.

^ A fly is found upon some waters, similar in every respect
to the above, except that the wings partake of the colour of the
Iron Bhie. The little Dark Spmner, No. 23, answers for its
metamorphosis.

FLIES FOR MAY. 95

No. 23. THE LITTLE BAUK SPINNER.

This is the metamorphosis of the Turkey
Brown (No. 22). It is a most killing fly just
at the be£iinnin"' of dusk.

IMITATION.

Body. Mulberry-coloured floss silk ribbed
over with purple silk thread.

Tail. Three or four whisks out of the stained
hackle feather which is used for the leo-s.

Wings. From a feather of the starling's winsf.

Legs. From a purple stained hackle wdiich
appears black when looked down upon, but
which shines with a dark tortoise-shell tint
when held up between the eye and the light.
Hook, No. 1, long.

No. 24. THE YELLOW SALLY.

This fly has been believed by some persons
to last in season only six days, but it continues
for six weeks or more, and may be used not un-
profitably on very warm days. The wings are
transparent.

96 FLIES FOR MAY,

No. 25. SKY BLUE.

Order, Neuroptera

Family, E2)hcmerid(e

Genus, Cloeon

Species, aidiciformis (Pseudimago).

No. 26. FERN FLY (Soldier Fly).

Order, Coleoptera
Family, TelephoridiE
Genus, Tclephorus
Species, lividus.

No. 27. ALDER FLY (Orl Fly, in Wales
called the Hump-Back).

Order, Neurop)tera
Family, Sialidce
Genus, Sialis
Species, lutarius.

(1.

Ft. III.

c

FLIES FOE ilAY. 97

IMITATION.

Body. Any yellowish buff fur ribbed with
yellow or apple-green silk.

Wings. From a wing feather of a white
hen, or fieldfare, stained pale yellow.

Legs. From an extremely pale ginger hackle,
or a white feather dyed of a yellowish tint.
Hook jSTo. 2, short.

No. 25. SKY BLUE.

This fly comes from a water nymplia, main-
tains its present state of existence two or three
days, and then changes to a much lighter fly or
spinner, wliicli lives three or four days.

IMITATION.

Body. Pale ginger mohair mixed with light
blue fur.

Tail. A whisk or two of the hackle used
for the legs.

Wings. From a feather of the sea swallow,
or of a very light blue dun hen.

Legs. Hackle stained a pale yellow.
Hook Xo. 0, short.

H

98 FLIES FOR MAY.

The body of the above-mentioned spinner is
more brilliant than that of the Sky Blue ; the
wings perfectly transparent, and almost colour-
less ; it is very little used.

No. 26. THE FERN FLY.

Two of the most common varieties of this
genus are known by the appellations of the
soldier and the sailor ; one wears a red, the
other a blue coat : both are much admired by
fish, and taken until the end of July, principally
on hot days. They live upon other insects,
such as aphides, or plant-lice.

IMITATION.

Body. Orange floss silk.
WiJVGS. The darkest part of a feather from
the starlino-'s wing^.

Legs. A red cock's hackle.
Hook No. 2, short.

To make it buzz, a lightish furnace hackle
is wound upon the above body. It kills very
well thus made.

FLIES FUR MAY. 99

No. 27. THE ALDER FLY.

This fly comes from a water nympha. It is
earlier on some waters than on others. It lays
its eggs upon the leaves of trees which overhang
the water, and delights to skim the brook, but
it may also be found at some distance from it.
It is in season from about the last week in May
until the end of June.

IMITATION.

Body. Dark mulberry floss silk, or peacock's
herl, tied with black silk.

Wings. From a feather of a brown lien's or
peahen's wing.

Legs. Dark umber stained hackle, or, in
case of need, a black cock's hackle will answer
the purpose tolerably well.

Hook No. 3 or 4, long.

To make it buzz, a dark dun hackle tinged
brown may be wound upon the above body.

Eemarks. Fine black German wool (a little)
dubbed on dark reddish-brown silk, makes the
body of this fly very well.

It is a good fly for dibbing in the natural
state, when abundant.

H 2

100 FLIES FOR JL'NE.

No. 28, a. GREEN DRAKE (May Fly, Cadow).

Order, Neuroptera

Family, Ephemerid<e

Genus, Ephemera

Spiecies, vidgata 9 (Pseudimago).

No. 28, h. GREY DRAKE (Glossy-winged
Drake).

Order, Neuroptera
FamUji, Ephemerid(e
Genus, Ephemera
Species, rnhiata 9 {Imago).

No. 29. ORANGE DUN.

Order, Neuroptera
Family, Ephemeridce
Genus, Ba'etis
Species, sulphurea.

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FLIES FOR JUNE. 101

No. 28, a. THE GREEN DRAKE.

This fly, proceeding from a water nympha,
lives three or four days as shown ; then the
female changes to the Grey Drake (No. 28, b),
and the male to the Black Drake (see p. 103).
The Green Drake cannot be said to be in season
quite three weeks on an average. Its season
depends greatly upon the state of the weather ;
and it will be found earlier upon the slowly
running parts of the stream (such as mill dams)
than on the rapid places.

IMITATION.

Body. The middle part is of pale straw-
coloured floss silk, ribbed with silver twist.
The extremities are of a brown peacock's herl,
tied with light brown silk thread.

Tail. Three rabbit's whiskers.

WiXGS AND Legs. Made buzz from a mottled
feather of the mallard, stained a pale greenish
yellow. (See Dyes, Chap. II. article 4.)
Hook No. 5, G, or 7, long.

To make it with wings in their state of rest,
part of a feather similarly stained must be used,
and a pale brown bittern's hackle, or, in case of
need, a partridge feather, must be wrapped round
the same body under the wings. -"

102 FLIES FOR JUNE.

No. 28, h. THE GREY DEAKE.

This is the metamorphosis of the female Green
Drake. She Uves three or four days, and is
caught by the fish whilst laying her eggs on the
water. She lasts a few days longer than the
Green Drake, and is to be fished with in the
evening. Some fishermen prefer other flies in
season to this ; when well made, it will however
furnish excellent sport, especially towards the
evening. The buzz form is intended to imitate
it when struocflincr and half-drowned.

IMITATION.

Body. The middle part is of white floss silk,
ribbed over neatly with silver twist. The ex-
tremities are of brown peacock's herl tied with
brown silk thread.

Tail. Three rabbit's whiskers.

Wings and Legs. Made buzz from a mottled
feather of the mallard, stained a faint purple.
Hook No. 5 or G, long.

To make it with wings at rest, the same pale
purple stained feather may be used for them, and
a dark purple stained hackle for the legs, upon
the above body.

FLIES FOR JUNE. 10^

THE BLACK DRAKE

Is the male green drake metamorphosed. Its
term of existence is about the same as that of
the female above mentioned. It is smaller than
the female, and very much darker, and is erro-
neously supposed by some, who call him the
Death Drake, to kill her. He is never in season
without her, but is not here represented, because
he is not so fat and tempting a bait.

No. 29. THE OEANGE DUK

This is another species of Dun of some im-
portance on the Dove and other Derbyshire
waters. It is equally attractive to Trout and
Grayling, and is a prime favourite in its day —
the end of June, July, and August.

IMITATION.

Body. Dark orange silk, and the fly to be
dressed with the same.

Tail. Two fibres of a starling's feather.
Legs. A dark dun hackle.

104 FLIES rOK JUNE.

No. 30. MAPtLOW BUZZ (Hazel Fly, Cocii-a-
BONDDU, Shorn Fly).

Order, Colcoptcra
Family, Melolontliid(e
Gchiis, Fhyllopcrtha
Species, liorticola.

No. 31. DAKK MACKEREL.

Order, Neuroptera
Family, Fph e m c ridce
Genus, Ephemera
Species, Daniea $

Pi.xnr.

FLIES FOR JUNE. 105

Wings. The dark part of a starling's (juill
feather.

Hook No. 2, long or short.

This lly should be made small and fine. Its
metamorphosis is believed to be of a pale lemon
tint, which should be used in the evenings at
the same season. Imitation similar to No. 32.

No. 30. THE MAELOW BUZZ.

This insect comes from a pupa which iidiabits
the earth. It is very abundant in hot weather
at the water side, from the beginning until the
middle of June, flying about amongst poplar
trees, and feeding upon the leaves. A very
similar species is found in great numbers upon
fern. They are called Bracken-clocks in the
North, and well taken by the Trout.

IMITATION.

Body. Black ostrich herl twisted with pea-
cock herl and made with red silk thread.

Wings and Legs. Are made buzz with a
dark furnace cock's hackle.

106 FLIES roll JUNE.

There are other species, some much smaller,
of Eed Beetles, and Ladybirds {Coccinellidce),
which may be imitated in a similar manner, and
used when numerous. This is one of the largest

o

employed.

To make it with wings at rest, the darkest
part of the starling's wing and a red cock's
hackle may be wound upon the above body in
the same way as for the Fern Fly, No. 26.

Eemakks. a famous fly for both Trout and
Grayling, and may be used till the end of
September.

No. 31. THE DAEK MACKEREL.

This is the name given to the insect repre-
sented by the figure on the right-hand side of
the plate, after it has changed from a dark kind
of Green Drake shown on the left side. Both
the male and female change to the dark brown,
but the former is the smallest and darkest fly.
Their habits are similar in every respect to the
Green and the Grey Drake (Nos. 2Sa and 286).
Sir H. Davy says that " the Green Ephemera, or
May Fly, lays her eggs sitting on the water."
(Salmonia, p. 219.) My observations lead to the

FLIES FOR JUNE. 107

conviction that neither the dark nor light Green
Ephemera lay eggs (being imperfect insects), but
that their metamorphoses, the Grey Drake and
the Dark Mackerel,^ lay eggs (whilst rising and
falling, &c.). This is an important fly on the
Blithe, and continues in season until the end of
June, and for part of July.

' The egg of this fly and that of all the last metamorphoses
of the Ephemeridae, here spoken of, sinks to the bottom of the
water, and is there, in a few days, hatched into a white grig ;
this larva undergoes several transmutations before it becomes a
nympha, which, rising to the sm-face at its appointed season,
bursts the case or skin which encloses it (at the shoulders),
displays beautiful wings, quits its old husk, and, after the lapse
of a second or two, generally flies to the nearest terra firma,
where it remains in solitude and shelter (from the wind and
sunbeams) for about two days (see fig. 22, plate 11). It then
undergoes its last metamorphosis, and enters upon its iinago or
perfect state (see fig. 23), changing the whole of its envelopes,
even those of its fine tails and legs. The tails and the two fore-
legs of the male increase to about double their former length,
those of the female receive an accession of not quite one-third.
The colour is generally altered, the wings become shining and
transparent. The male carries two large stemmata upon his
head, and a pair of callipers at the end of his body, which two
peculiarities chiefly distinguish his appearance from the female.
He is also usually rather smaller than she is. He may be seen
merrily dancmg, as it were, up and down in the air in vast
crowds, frequently near a bush by the water side, whilst the
female is to be discovered busily employed rising and falling
and hovering over the water, and sometimes touching the
surface and making use of her long tails to spring up again.
She lays her eggs at this moment.

The genus Potamanthus has three tails, or caudal setae ;
Baetis and Cloeon have only two of these appendages.

108 FLIES FOR JULY.

No. 32. PALE EVENING DUN.

Order, Neiiroptera
Family, Ejyhemcridie
Genus, Clo'eon
Species, Pumila.

No. 33. JULY DUN (Dark Blue Dun, Merlin).

Order, Neuroptera
Fam ily, EpihemeridiB
Genus, Baetis
Species, obscura.

No. 34. GOLD-EYED GAUZE WING.

Order, Neuroptera
Family, Ilevierohiichc
Genus, Chrysopa
Species, vulgaris.

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32

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FL.xv:

3

FLIES FOR JULY. 109

IMITATION.

Body. Dark mulberry lloss silk, ribbed with
gold twist.

Tail. Tliree rabbit's whiskers.

WiXGS. From a brown mottled feather of
the mallard, which hangs from the back over a
part of the wing.

Legs. A purple dyed hackle, appearing
black when looked down upon, but of a dark
tortoise-shell hue when held between the eye
and the light. (See Dyes, Chap. II. article 5.)

No. 32. THE PALE EVENING DUN.

This ily comes from a water nympha, lives
two or three days as shown, and then changes to
a brighter yellow-bodied fly. It may be strongly
recommended as a Hy which can be used when
the water is fine.

IMITATION.

Body. Yellow^ martin's fur spun on pale
fawn-coloured silk thread.

Wings. From a very fine grained feather of
the starling's wing;', stained of rather a lighter

110 FLIES FOR JULY.

yellow than that which is used for the Green
Drake, No. 28, a.

Legs. Pale dun hackle.

Hook No. 1, short.

The brighter yellow-bodied spinner, to which
this changes, lives four or live days, is fainter
coloured, and more transparent in the wing.
The change is not given, as the Dark Mackerel
(No. 31) is very much preferable for the
evening.

Eemarks. The hair of an abortive calf, which
would have been red if born at the proper time,
is of a resplendent gold colour, and forms a good
material for the legs of Summer Duns. It is tied
on in the manner of wings. Make the above.
Small Bed Spinner, for June and July : — Body,
clear yellow silk ; Legs, a red cock's hackle ;
Wings, starling's quill feather, from the middle
of the wing, and the bird a young one.
Hook No. 1, short.

No. 33. THE JULY DUN.

This fly comes from a water nympha, lives
three or four days as shown, and t^en changes
to a very small Dark Spinner. It affords a great
treat to the Trout and Grayling, and lasts until

FLIES FOR JULY. Ill

the August Dun takes its place, in the beginning
of the following month.

IMITATION.

Body. Mole's fur and pale yellow mohair,
mixed and spun on yellow silk.

Tail. Two or three whisks of a dark dun
hackle.

Wings. Dark part of a feather from the
starling's wing, stained darker in strong onion
dye.

Legs. Dark dun hackle.

Hook No. 2, short.

To make it buzz, a lighter hackle may be
wound upon the above body.

The tint of its metamorphosis is the same as
that of the Dark Mackerel (No. 31). It will
catch well late in the evening.

Eemarks. At this season several kinds of
Dun will be found on the water together ; and
especially a lighter Blue Dun than No. 2, described
above, and a Dark Orange Dun. The angler's
own observation, or the experience of others who
know the water, will be called into requisition
here.

The above " Dark Blue Dun," or " July
Dun " of Ronalds, is a great favourite on the
Dove at Mappleton, where the writer was in-

112 FLIES FOK JULY.

No. 35, a. WREN TAIL (FROG-IIoppErv, Pale
Brown BENx-HorrER).

Order, Ilomoptera
Family, Cercoimhe
Genus, Cercopis
Species, sjnimaria.

No. 35, h.

Order, Homoptera
Faviilij, Cercopidce
Gen us, A mhh/cepltalus
Species, viridis.

No. 36. BED ANT.

Order, Ilymenoptera
Family, Formicidie
Genus, Myrmica
SjH'cies, rubra.

No. 37. SILVER HORNS (Black Silver
Twlst).

Order, N'eu roptera
Sub-order, Triehoptera
Family, Leptoceridce
Genus, Leptocerus
Species, uigcr.

5^ I

(3

FLIES FOR JULY. 113

formed that one of the best anglers on the spot
had it always on his lash. Tlie wing feather of
the Merlin Hawk which " Arundo " commends
for this fly was found very successful in this
very water. ("Practical Fly Fishing,"' p. 22.)

Xo. 34. THE GOLD-EYED GAUZE-WING.

This is rather a scarce insect upon some
waters, but where it is found affords great sport
on windy days. Both larger and smaller species
than that represented, of this apple-green tint,
are to be found, and also one of a lighter and
yellower shade. The eye possesses wonderful
brilliancy. It may be used as soon as the Green
Drake goes out, for about three weeks, and is to
be found even as late as September. The smell
is fetid.

IMITATION.

Body. Very pale yellowish green floss silk,
tied on with silk thread of the same colour.

Legs. The palest blue dun hackle which
can be procured.

Wings. Any transparent feather, stained
slightly green. (See " Ephemera.")
Hook No. 2, long.

114 FLIES FUR JULY.

Eemarks. To show the multiplicity of similar
species, out of which one has to be selected as a
type, there are eleven British species of the
" Gauze-wing," viz. vittata, vulgaris, subfalcata,
alba,angusfipenms, 7 -punctata, aspersa, ahhreviata,
perla, capitata, ^ndfulviceps. No wonder imita-
tions differ.

No. 35, a. and b. THE WREN TAIL.

There are many species of these hoppers : the
pale brown, the dark brown, and the greenish
blue are the most common. They are very busy
on hot days, hopping about and taking flights
of about twenty yards, and this is the time to
use the imitation, for they sometimes drop short
and fall upon the water. In colder weather they
are found upon the long grass principally : not
much on the water. On ver)'- cold days they
seem to seek shelter near the roots of the grass.

IMITATION.

Body. Ginger-coloured fur ribbed with gold
twist.

Wings and Legs. Feather from a wren's
tail, wound on hackle -wise.

Hook No. 1, short.

FLIES FOR JULY. 115

No. 36. THE RED ANT.

This insect is very abundant on the water
after a swarm or flight of Ants and Emmets, the
time of which is uncertain. " Myriads of swarm-
ing ants," observes Mr, Newman, in his " History
of Insects," " attracted by the brilUant surface
of water, illumined by an autumnal sun, rush into
the fatal current, and are seen no more." There
are many species, but the black and the red, of
the size shown and a size smaller, which are used
later iii the season, are enough for the angler.
The ant-eggs used as a bottom bait, after a fresh,
are, in fact, cocoons, enclosing the insects in the
pupa state.

IMITATION.

Body. Peacock's herl tied with red brown
silk.

Wings. From a feather of the light part of
a starling's wing.

Legs. A red cock's hackle.

Hook No. 00, 0, or 1, long or short.

The Black Ant is made of peacock's herl, and
black ostrich mixed, for the body. Wings from
the darkest part of the starling's wing, and legs
a black cock's hackle.

I 2

116 FLIES FOR AUGUST.

No. 38. AUGUST DUN.

Order, Neuroptera

Family, Ephemerid<e

Genus, Baetis

Species, jiuminum ( Pseudimago) .

No. 39. ORANGE FLY.

Order, Hymenoptera
Family, Ichneumonida
Genua, Pachymerus
Species, calcitrator.

No. 40. CINNAMON FLY.

Order, Neuroptera
Sub-order, Trichoptera
Family, Phryganidce
Genus, Limnephilus
Species, stigmaticus.

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FLIKS FOR JULY. 1 17

No. 37. THE SILVER HOENS.

This fly is extremely abundant upon some
waters, and is well taken both by the Trout and
Grayling until the end of August throughout
the day and principally in showery weather.
The figure represents the female. The male has
black horns.'

IMITATION.

Body. Black ostrich herl tied with black
silk, and dressed off.

Wings. Feather from the wing of the cock
blackbird.

Legs. Small black cock's hackle.

Horns. Grey feather of the mallard.
Hook No. 2, short.

To make it buzz the body is ribbed with silver-
twist upon the black ostrich herl and a nearly
black hackle wrapped all down.

'■ There is a species upon some waters which has a shining
jet-black wing.

118 FLIES FOR AUGUST.

No. 38. THE AUGUST DUN.

This fly comes from a water nymplia, lives two
or three days, as shown, then changes to a Eed
Spinner. It is quite as important a fly for this
month as the March Brown is for March. It is
in season from the beginning; of Auejust to the
middle of September.

IMITATION.

Body. Brown floss silk ribbed with yellow
silk thread.

Tail. Two rabbit's whiskers.
Wings. Feather of a brown hen's wing.
Legs. Plain red hackle stained brown.
Hook No. 2, short.

It is made buzz with a grouse feather wound
upon the above body.

The Eed Spinner, to which it changes, is very
similar to that which the Blue Dun (No. 2)
turns to, and is a good fly on a mild evening.

FLIES FOR AUGUST 1]9

No. 39. THE ORANGE FLY.

This is one of the best flies that can be used,
especially for Grayling. There are a great
many species ; some larger, some smaller, than
the representation. It may be used all day.
Although discovered alive with difficulty, it is
found abundant in the stomachs of the fish.
It is furnished with apparatus called the sting,
or ovipositor, used for the purpose of piercing the
skin of caterpillars, in which it deposits its eggs,
the grub from which grows in, and ultimately
kills, the insect in which it was hatched. These
Ichneumon flies are the great check to the mul-
tiplication of the insect tribes.

IMITATION.

Body. Orange floss silk tied on with black
silk thread.

Wings. Dark part of the starling's wing, or
feather of a hen blackbird.

Legs. A very dark furnace hackle.
Hook No. 1, short.

120 FLIES FOR SKPTEMBER.

No. 41. BLUE BOTTLE (House Fly, Shade
Fly).

Order, Diptera
Family, Miiscidte
Genus, Sarcojihaga
Species, striata.

No. 42. WHIRLING BLUE DUN.

Order, Nenroptera

Family, Eph emeridte

Genus, Cloeon

Species, ochracen {Pseudimago).

No. 43. LITTLE PALE BLUE DUN (Willow
Fly).

Order, Neuroptera
Family, Ephemeridre
Genus, Cloeon
Species, f II scata {Pseudimago).

No. 44. WILLOW FLY (Shamrock Fly).

Order, Neuroptera
Family, Perlidcs
Genus, Nemoura
Species, fvliginnsa.

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FLIES FOK AUGUST. 121

No. 40. THE CINNAMON FLY.

This fly comes from a water pupa. There are
many species. The larger ones being stronger
can resist the force of rain and wind better than
that represented, and are therefore not so well
known to the fish. If should be used after
a heavy shower, and also on a windy day. In
both cases very great diversion may be expected
with it.

IMITATION.

Body. Fawn-coloured floss silk, tied on with
silk thread of the same colour,

Wings. Feather of a yellow brown hen's wing,
rather darker than the landrail's wing feather.

Legs. A ginger hackle.

It is made buzz with a red hackle from the
grouse, or a red hackle stained brown with
copperas, and tied on the same body.
Hook No. 3, long.

Eemarks. So numerous are the species of
Caddis Fly resembling the above, different on
different waters, that the angler must use his
own observation. A wren's tail feather, wound
round a hare's ear body, will aid him in giving
the rich brown tint common to many of the
genus, and the landrail's quill feather will be
sufficientlv dark with this hackle,

122 FLIES FOR SEPTEMBER.

The Sheffield anglers use a fly they call Par-
tridge Eump, which may be noticed here as
proper for this part of the season.

Hook No. 4, long; body, yellow silk (not
floss) ; feather, partridge rump. The head is
formed with copper-coloured peacock's herl. A
good killer in Derbyshire waters. It is the
yellow-bodied Harry-long-legs.

No. 41. THE BLUE BOTTLE.

This and the House Fly become blind and
weak in this month, and are therefore frequently
driven on to the water on windy days, when
very good sport may be expected with them.
The Blue Bottle is perhaps to be preferred. It
may be used until cold weather sets in, especially
after a frosty night.

IMITATION.

Body. Bright blue floss silk tied with light
brown silk thread, showing the brown at the
head.

Wings. Feather of the starling's wing.

Legs. Black hackle from a cock wrapped
down the principal part of the body.
Hook No. 3, short.

FLIES FOR SEFTFMBKR. 12S

To make it buzz, a dark dun hackle may be
wound upon the above body.

Eemahks. Tlie House or Shade Fly (Musca
domestica) may be noticed here. A first-rate
angler used to make it thus, for July : —

Wings. From under covert feather of water-
hen's wing.

Legs. Blue starling feather.

Body. Light brown and pea-green wool mixed.

Head. Green peacock's herl, and three laps
under the M'ings.

Hook jSTo. 2, short.

A first-rate killer.

The larvcE of various flesh-flies, of which,
under the name of " gentles," even the fly-fisher
at times avails himself to conceal his hook, have
a curious history of their own. The eggs laid
by the parent fly, when she " blows " any fish or
flesh, sometimes hatch in the short space of two
hours. It has been found (by Eedi) that these
maggots, of which one day it took thirty to
weigh a grain, weighed the next day seven
grains each : having thus in twenty-four hours
become about 200 times heavier than before
(Kirhy and Spence, vol. ii. p. 398). When full
grown, these gentles quit their prey, to burv,
and assume the pupa state.

]24 flip:s for September.

No. 42. THE WHIRLING BLUE
DUN.

This fly comes from a water nympha, lives
about three days as shown, then turns to a
Light Bed Spinner. It is in season until the
middle of October, and on the water chiefly in
blustering cold weather. It has been supposed
to be a second edition of the Yellow Dun of
April. If compared with that it will be found
rather smaller and more of a crino-er colour.

o o
IMITATION.

Body. Squirrel's red brown fur mixed with
yellow mohair, tied with yellow silk thread well
waxed.

Tail. One or two whisks of a pale ginger
hackle-

Wings. Feather from a starling's wing not
very light.

Legs. Pale ginger hackle.

Hook No. 2, Grayling.

The Red Spinner lives three or four days.
In making it, reference ma}^ be had to flg. o,
plate 4. It must be rather lighter ihan that
fiiz-ure.

FLIES FOR SEPTEMBER. 125

No. 43. THE LITTLE PALE BLUE
DUN.

This fly comes from a water nympha, lives two
or three days as shown, then changes to a more
dehcate fly than that represented. It is upon
the water at the same time as the Whirling Blue
(No. 42), and lasts until the end of the fishing
season. It is very abundant, and taken equally
well by both Trout and Grayling.

IMITATION.

Body. Very pale blue fur mixed with a very
little yellow mohair.

Wings. Feather from the sea swallow.
Legs. The palest blue hackle to be had.
Hook No. 1, Graylinor.

To make it buzz, a sea swallow's feather only
may be wound upon the same body.

The metamorphosis of this fly has very trans-
parent wings. It is too delicate to be imitated.

Remarks. This is called by some anglers the
" WiUow Fly."

126 FLIES FOR septkmbp:r.

No. 44. THE WILLOW (or WITHY) FLY.

This fly comes from a water larva. It is
extremely abundant during this month and the
next, and even later in the season. On very fine
days it may be even found on the water in
February. It generally flutters across the
stream, and is best imitated buzz fashion.

IMITATION.

Body. Mole's fur (a very little) spun upon
yellow silk.

Wings' and Legs. A dark dun hen's hackle

with the edges strongly tinged a copper colour :

sometimes called a golden dun feather, or a yellow

dun.

Hook No. 1, Grayling.

Remarks. As the fishing at this season, and
in October, is, or should be, for Grayling ex-
clusively, the hackle form of No. 7 may be
recalled to the angler's notice, as now coming
again into season, and killing the largest fish.

This and the Willow Fly, made as above, or
with the addition of wings from the dark part of
a starling's quill feather, are good killers in the
Derwent till November.

In the excellent little manual, called " Prac-
tical Fly-fishing," by "Arundo," the above is
called the " Shamrock Fly."

PALMERS FOR THE FISHING SEASO^'. 127

No. 45. THE EED PALMER.

This is the caterpillar of Arctia caja, or the
Garden Tiger Moth. I have found this Palmer
more abundantly than any other early in the
spring, and can recommend the use of it as soon
as the water is fit for fishing after a flood ; also
on windy days. Cuvier remarks that this cater-
pillar changes its skin ten times, during its
growth, changing slightly its colours.

IMITATION.

Peacock herl with a red cock's hackle wrapped
over it, and tied with light brown or red silk
thread. This corresponds also with the larvge
of the Drinker Moth {Odonestis potatoria).

It may be varied by a ruhy stained hackle ;
which answers well on the Dove. Hook No. 6,
Palmers.

No. 46. THE BROWN PALMER.

This is the caterpillar of Spilosoma luhrice-
peda, or the Spotted Buff Ermine Moth, found
on nettles, &c., in July and August.

128 PALMERS FOR THE FISHING SEASON.

It will catch fish throuohout the fishing
season, and may be used with most success after
a flood and on windy days.

IMITATION.

Mulberry-coloured worsted spun on brown
silk, and a brown stained cock's hackle wrapped
over the whole.

It may be varied (to imitate S. Menthastri)
by making the body of ostrich lierl, of a drab
colour, and winding a grizzled hackle over.
Hook No. 6, Palmers.

No. 47. THE BLACK AND RED
PALMER.

This is the caterpillar of Arctia caja, or the
Garden Tiger Moth, full-grown.

It is used in May, June, and July principally.

IMITATION.

Black ostrich herl ribbed with gold twist, and
a red cock's hackle wrapped over it. This Fly

Fb.XIX.

p/; hi '

PALMERS FOR THE FISHING SEASON. 129

may be made large, and will kill large Thames
Trout of 3, 4, and 5 lbs. weight, and Salmon
Trout, with great success. The feather at the
shoulder should be a large furnace hackle from
the rumj} of a game cock, and the ostrich herl
should be wound thickest there. The gold twist
should be shown clearly at the tail, and the tail-
liook should be large and strong.
Hook No. 7, Palmers.

Not many years ago, a gentleman had just
arrived, about the middle of June, as a stranger
at a Fishing Station on the Thames. Meetins"
tlie head fisherman of the place by the water-
side, he asked " What Fly was most successful in
raising the Thames Trout there ; " and receiving
no immediate reply, suggested the above " Large
Eed Palmer." " Oh no ! " was the repl}^ : "pe?'-
fectly useless." " Indeed ! " said the gentleman,
" it raises large Trout everywhere else in Eng-
land." " It's useless here, however." " Well, I
shall give it the first trial, nevertheless."

That evenino- the p'entleman went down about
half-2Jast six, and about seven o'clock had landed
a Trout of 3-| lbs. with a fly made as above.

Another evening he hooked and played a
larger, and lost it. Subsequently he took two
one morning, before 7 a.m., the larger of which
weighed 5-J lbs. ; and various others.

K

130 PALMERS FOR THE FISHING SEASON.

The Large Eed Palmer was the " hestfiij that
could he used " for Trout there ever after.

Show plenty of gold at the tail ; and let your
feather be a good black near the head, and shade
off to a rich game red. A fly of this kind falls
more lightly, and shows more life in the water,
than other large flies. The elastic fibres of the
hackle open and close as it is drawn across the
stream, and it displays its colours to the best
advantage. A hackle fl}-^ is never on its back.
The Black and Eed, or Large Eed, Palmer, will
ever be a standard Trout fly. For a Dropper,
a smaller fly of similar materials, on a single
hook (No. 7), will be found a good accompani-
ment. That this is taken for a beetle of some
kind by the Trout is highly probable.

The caterpillar of the Garden Tiger Moth is
common on nettles during the autumn and spring ;
that of the Drinker Moth is abundant in spring-
on rank grass. Both rejoice in the familiar
name of Woolly-hears in some places. Before
these spin their cocoons, which the}' do in May
and June, they wander from their food often to
a sfreaf distance : and from this circumstance
are called Palmers. It is probably during these
pilgrimages mostly that they fall a pre}^ to the
fish throuoh various mischances.

131

INDEX

TO FLIES DESCRIBED.

Alder Fly, 96.
Ant Flies, 112.
Ash Fly, 88.
August Dun, 116.

Bent Hopper, 112.

Black Ant, 1 1 2.

Black Caterpillar, 84.

Black Gnat, 88.

Black Midge, 88.

Black and Red Palmer, 128.

Black Silver Twist, 112.

Blue Bottle, 120.

Blue Dun, 60.

Brown Palmer, 127.

Caddis Flies, 121.
Cadow, 100.
Cannon Fly, 88.
Cinnamon Fly, 116
Cob Fly, 68.
Coch-a-bonddu, 104.
Cock-tail, 60.
Cow-dung Fly, 64.

Dark Dun, 108.
Dark Mackerel, 104.
Dotterel Dun, 80.
Down-looker, 88.
Dun Drake, 68.

Fern Fly, 96.
Flat Yellow. 92.

Gold-eyed Gauze-wing, 108.
Golden Dun Midge, 76.
Grannoni, 80.
Gi'avel-bed, 80.
Great Dark Drone, 64.
Great Red Spinner, 68.
Green Drake, 100.
Green Tail, 80.
Grey Drake, 100.

Hawthorn Fly, 84.
Hazel Fly, 104.
Hoppers, 112.
House Fly, 120.
Humja-back, 96.

Iron Blue Dun, 84.

Jenny Spinner, 84.
July Dun, 108.

Light Mackerel, 68.
Little Brown Dun, 92.
Little Chap, 68.
Little Dark Spinner, 92.
Little Pale Blue Dun, 1 20.
Little Yellow May Dun, 88.

March Brown, 68.
Marlow Buzz, 104.
May Flv. 100.
Merlin Fly, 108.

Oak Fly, 88.

1

^o

ii\Di:x.

Old Joan, GO.
Orange Dun, 100.
Orange Fly, 116.
Orl Fly, 96.

Pale Evening Dun, lOH.
Peacock Fly, 68.

Red Ant, 112.
Red Fly, 60.
Red Palmer, 127.
Red Spinner, 60.

8and Fly, 76.
Sand Gnat, 80.
Saw Flv, 64.
Shade Fly, 120.
Shamrock Fly, 120.
Shell Fly, 80.

Shorn Fly, 104.
Silk Fly, 88.
Silver Horns, 112.
Sky Blue, 96.
Soldier Fly, 96.
Spider Fly, 80.
Stone Fly, 76.

Turkey Brown, 92.

Water Cricket, 64.
Whirlino- Blue Dun, 120.
Willow Fly, 120.
Withy Fly, 120.
Woodcock Fly, 88.
Wren-tail, 112.

Yellow Dun, 80.
Yellow Sally, 92.

THE END.

PRIXTICn BT

SPOTTISWOODE AND CO. LTD., NEW-STREET SQUARE

LONDON

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